What constitutes harassment under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)?

In Washington, harassment is a form of illegal debt collection behavior prohibited by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). This federal law was created to protect consumers from abusive and unethical collection tactics and to ensure they are treated with fairness and respect in their time of need. Harassment can take many forms, including but not limited to: using threats of violence or harm; threatening to take action against the consumer that cannot legally be taken; using obscene, profane, or otherwise abusive language; repeatedly using the telephone to contact the consumer; calling a consumer during extremely inconvenient hours; and contacting the consumer at their place of business. In addition, creditors and collection agents are not allowed to make false or misleading statements whenever they are attempting to collect a debt. This includes misrepresenting the amount of the debt, the legal status of the debt, the consumer’s rights under the applicable law, or the consequences of non-payment of the debt. Finally, creditors and collection agents cannot contact any third party regarding the consumer’s debt, unless such contact is absolutely necessary to locate the consumer. Disclosing details of the consumer’s debt to a third party is also prohibited. Violation of any of these provisions of the FDCPA can be considered harassment, and consumers have the right to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission and seek compensation for any damages or losses incurred.

Related FAQs

How do I know if a debt collector is legitimate?
How does bankruptcy affect my collection defense rights?
What are the consequences of not paying a debt?
What is an appearance bond?
What penalties can I face for non-payment of debt?
What should I do if a debt collector is threatening to arrest me?
What is a default judgment?
How do I calculate the amount of damages I am owed in a collection defense law case?
What kind of evidence is needed to win a collection defense law case?
What are the consequences of not responding to a summons or complaint?

What constitutes harassment under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts