What is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act?

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that governs debt collection in Washington. It was passed in 1977 by the U.S. Congress to protect consumers from unethical and illegal debt collection practices. The FDCPA governs the way debt collectors contact consumers and the type of information they can request or disclose. Under the FDCPA, debt collectors must make reasonable efforts to ensure that accurate and complete information is collected and verified. They must also send debtors a written notice within five days of initiating contact, which includes the name of the agency, the amount of the debt, and the steps the debtor can take if they disagree with the debt. The FDCPA also requires debt collectors to treat debtors with respect, refrain from using deceptive or abusive language, and not make false or misleading representations. They must also refrain from revealing information about a debt to third parties, such as friends and family members. The goal of the FDCPA is to ensure that debt collectors operate in a fair, reasonable, and ethical manner. It also provides consumers with protection from unfair debt collection practices. If a debt collector violates the FDCPA, debtors can seek damages and other legal redress.

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What is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act?

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