What actions should a debt collection agency avoid?
Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, a collection agency may not act in the following ways: Third-party communications. The collection agency may not contact third parties other than the debtor’s attorney or a credit bureau for any reason other than to locate the debtor. Collection agents who contact third parties must state their names and may only add that they are confirming or correcting information about the debtor. They cannot give the collection agency’s name unless asked directly. They cannot state that they are calling about a debt. Attorney-represented debtor. A collection agency cannot contact the debtor directly if represented by an attorney. Debtor communications. Collection agents may not: a. Contact debtors before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. b. Contact a debtor at work if he or she knows that the employer bans receipt of collection calls while on the job. Harassment or abuse. Agents may not: a. Threaten the use of violence. b. Use obscene or profane language. c
