Remember Me
forgot your password?

How The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Helps You

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, which is more commonly referred to as the FDCPA, is a statute in the United States that is designed to protect consumers who have creditors who are attempting to collect a debt from them. This act has several important features that are designed to accomplish this. You should be aware of these.

One outstanding feature of the FDCPA is to provide consumers with a mechanism of disputing debts that they don't feel they are responsible for. It also provides a convenient way for consumers to keep track of debts that they ARE responsible for. It is helpful to know that there are strict penalties that can be ascribed to companies who break the fair debt collection act.

There are many activities that are not allowed by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. For example, creditor harassment is actually defined and prohibited under the act. One common practice that is considered harassment is when the creditor contacts the consumer after they have provided written notice that they do not wish to be further contacted or that they have no intention of paying the debt.

Another example of creditor harassment is contacting the debtor at their place of employment or business after the creditor has been informed in writing by the debtor that they do not wish to be contacted while they are at work. Calling the consumer repeatedly in a way that is intended to annoy, abuse or otherwise harass the consumer is also strictly prohibited.

If you, as the debtor, have an attorney representing you, the creditor or collection agency cannot contact you directly without violating the act. There are also specific hours set up within which a creditor can contact a debtor. If attempts at contact are made outside of these hours, the creditor is in violation of the act. Creditors are also banned from publishing the consumers name on a 'debt list'. Likewise if the creditor insists on contacting the consumer after the consumer has asked for validation of the debt or uses abusive or profane language, the are in conravention of the act.

If you have bills that you cannot pay, and are being hounded by creditors who are trying to contact you to pay on a debt, it's extremely important that you know your rights under the law. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act was designed specifically with you in mind, and consumers as a group, need to be ready to take the appropriate actions when their rights are violated. That's why it is important to be aware of the rules, and keep abreast of the various regulations. Unless consumers are vigilant, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act cannnot perform the job it was created to do. Harassment is a serious issue and needs to be reported.

Rick Hendershot

Learn more about the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act - FDCPA - and how it protects you from debt harassment. Article by Info Articles.

Rate this Article: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s)
Print Email Re-Publish

Add new Comment



Captcha

  • Latest Finance Articles
  • More from Rick Hendershot

Basic Things You Should Find In A Personal Financial Software

By: Jameson Meer | 14/11/2009
There are basic elements to a personal financial software to make it a truly helpful addition to your life.

Basic Things You Should Find In A Personal Financial Software

By: Jameson Meer | 14/11/2009
There are basic elements to a personal financial software to make it a truly helpful addition to your life.

Basic Things You Should Find In A Personal Financial Software

By: Jameson Meer | 14/11/2009
There are basic elements to a personal financial software to make it a truly helpful addition to your life.

Get Rid Of Accounting Paperwork With A Personal Financial Software

By: Jameson Meer | 14/11/2009
You can graduate from dealing with a load of paperwork with a handy personal financial software installed into your PDA.

Achieving Clear Financial Goals With A Personal Financial Software

By: Jameson Meer | 14/11/2009
You can achieve your financial goals with proper planning. This is where personal financial software comes handy.

Achieving Clear Financial Goals With A Personal Financial Software

By: Jameson Meer | 14/11/2009
You can achieve your financial goals with proper planning. This is where personal financial software comes handy.

Achieving Clear Financial Goals With A Personal Financial Software

By: Jameson Meer | 14/11/2009
You can achieve your financial goals with proper planning. This is where personal financial software comes handy.

Can We Count on Companies to Protect Our Credit Card Data?

By: Robert F. Brennan, Esq. | 14/11/2009
On August 17, 2009 federal prosecutors charged Albert Gonzalez of Miami Florida, a former federal government informant, for allegedly stealing 130 million credit and debit card accounts. This was one of the largest know identity theft cases in US history. Gonzalez, the ring leader of an international team of thieves,...

IT Training Leads To Secure IT Jobs

By: Rick Hendershot | 14/10/2008 | Careers
IT training is a very important career choice in the modern world, as it will grant the individual exceptional job security in a quickly-growing marketplace. Because it grants almost guaranteed job placement, a career in the IT field can be a very smart, safe, and profitable choice.

Personal Injury Lawyers Should Be The First Number Called After An Accident

By: Rick Hendershot | 12/10/2008 | Law
Does this sound familiar? You have been injured in a car accident, a work incident, or any other kind of accident that has caused you personal pain. You understandably want to get your medical bills paid for, and you want compensation for the pain that you are suffering.

Effective Ways To Stop Debt Collector Harassment

By: Rick Hendershot | 12/10/2008 | Law
Debt collection harassment is an annoying and embarrassing experience for anyone to go through. Luckily, there are ways to stop debt harassment, if you know your rights.

A Pretty Goa Villa for Your Perfect Honeymoon

By: Rick Hendershot | 05/10/2008 | Destinations
People who are seeking a unique, beautiful and affordable vacation or honeymoon destination should consider Goa.

The Ultimate Sports and Events Tickets Are Awaiting You Online

By: Rick Hendershot | 03/10/2008 | Art & Entertainment
It doesn't matter whether it is for a concert or a sporting event. There is no better way to get tickets to the best sporting events and for the best concert tickets that anyone can find.

4 Reasons to Use a Personal Injury Lawyer

By: Rick Hendershot | 30/09/2008 | Law
Chances are if you have been injured in a car accident or in any other way due to another person's actions you've probably been told you should consult with a personal injury lawyer.

How The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Helps You

By: Rick Hendershot | 30/09/2008 | Finance
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, which is more commonly referred to as the FDCPA, is a statute in the United States that is designed to protect consumers who have creditors who are attempting to collect a debt from them.

Submit Your Articles Free: Signup
Article Categories




Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Copyright © 2005-2008 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved. (0.79, 6, w1)