What is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act?

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that was passed to protect consumers from being abused and harassed by debt collectors. It applies to any person who regularly engages in debt collection activities, including collection agencies, lawyers who collect debts on a regular basis, and any other third party collectors. Under the FDCPA, debt collectors must follow certain rules and regulations when collecting debts. They are prohibited from using abusive, deceptive or unfair practices when communicating with consumers. For example, debt collectors cannot lie about the amount owed, use threat of violence or harm, or falsely accuse someone of a crime. They also cannot harass or make derogatory comments about a person’s character or reputation. The FDCPA also requires debt collectors to provide consumers with certain information, such as the amount of the debt, the name of the creditor, and a description of what the consumer can do if they dispute the debt. If a consumer requests it, then the collector must provide written verification of the debt in question. Finally, the FDCPA provides a consumer with certain rights. If a consumer believes a debt collector has violated the FDCPA, they can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. In addition, the consumer can seek damages from the debt collector if they believe they have been harmed by the collector’s conduct. In Oregon, consumers are protected by both the federal FDCPA and the Oregon Unlawful Debt Collection Practices Act, which is an Oregon state law that strengthens many of the protections provided by the federal law.

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What is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act?

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