Can I sue a debt collector for violating the FDCPA?
Yes. A debtor has one year from the time the debt collector violated the law to sue for damages in state or federal court. A successful debtor can receive compensation for the actual damages caused by the illegal collection activity. Even if the debtor is unable to prove actual damages, a judge may still award damages of up to $1,000. A debtor can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or with the state agency in charge of regulating collection activities. However, a debt will remain valid even though the collector violated the law.
