The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is one of the most consumer-friendly laws on the books. It spells out — in precise legal language — exactly what debt collectors cannot do. Violating any of these rules can cost a collector up to $1,000 in statutory damages per lawsuit, plus your legal fees. Here is every prohibition explained in plain English.
Contact outside permitted hours (§ 805(a))
Collectors may only contact you between 8:00 AM and 9:00 PM your local time. A single call at 7:59 AM is a violation worth up to $1,000. If you work night shifts and 8 AM is inconvenient for you, you can tell the collector — and they must stop calling at that time.
Contact you at work if employer disapproves (§ 805(a)(3))
If you tell a collector your employer does not permit such calls, they must stop calling you at work immediately. Put this in writing for maximum protection.
Discuss your debt with third parties (§ 805(b))
Collectors can only contact third parties to locate you — not to discuss your debt. Telling your neighbor, family member, or coworker about your debt is a violation, regardless of whether the information is true.
Continue contact after cease & desist (§ 805(c))
Once you send a written cease and desist letter, all collection contact must stop. The only exceptions: the collector may contact you to confirm no further contact, or to notify you of a specific legal action.
Use harassment or abuse (§ 806)
The FDCPA prohibits calling repeatedly to annoy you (the "7 in 7" rule limits calls to 7 per week per debt), using obscene or profane language, or making threats of violence.
Threaten arrest (§ 807(4))
Debt is civil, not criminal. No collector can legally threaten you with arrest for a consumer debt. This is one of the most common — and most clearcut — FDCPA violations.
Lie about the debt amount (§ 807(1))
Collectors cannot misrepresent the amount you owe, add unauthorized fees, or claim the debt is larger than it is. Always request written validation to confirm the exact amount.
Pretend to be an attorney (§ 807(3))
A collector who claims to be an attorney — or sends letters on fake law firm letterhead — is committing a federal violation.