What debt collection practices are prohibited?
Harassment. Debt collectors are not allowed to harass, oppress, or abuse any debtor. Collectors cannot do the following. • Use threats of violence or harm to the person, property, or reputation. • Publish a list of people who refuse to pay their debts (they are allowed to give names to credit bureaus). • Use obscene or profane language. • Repeatedly call debtors to the point of annoyance. • Contact debtors without identifying themselves. • Publish or advertise the amount debtors owe. • Say that debtors will be arrested if they do not pay the debt or that they will seize, garnish, attach, or sell property or income, unless the collection agency intends to do so and it is legal. False statements. Debt collectors cannot use any false statements when collecting debts. Collectors cannot do the following. • Falsely imply that they are attorneys or government representatives. • Falsely imply that debtors have committed crimes. • Falsely represent that they operate or work for a credit bureau.
