Are there limits on what debt collectors or collection agencies can do when they attempt to collect delinquent debts?
Yes. The main federal law regulating debt collectors is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), first passed in 1977. Congress was concerned about ongoing abusive debt-collection practices that negatively impacted the lives of consumer debtors both personally and financially. Congress also wanted to level the playing field between honest and upright debt collectors and those using deceptive collection practices. Your state laws also may provide additional regulation of debt collection.
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