What is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)?

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that sets out the rules and regulations for debt collectors in the United States. It applies to collection agencies, lawyers who collect debts on behalf of creditors, and those who buy and sell delinquent debts. The FDCPA is designed to protect consumers from unfair, deceptive, and abusive practices by debt collectors. In Virginia, the FDCPA is enforced by the Virginia State Corporation Commission and the Consumer Protection Section of the Office of the Attorney General. The law states that debt collectors must treat consumers fairly and must not engage in abusive or unfair practices when collecting debts. Additionally, debt collectors must provide consumers with accurate information about their debt and must not threaten or harass them. The FDCPA also restricts debt collectors from calling consumers at inconvenient times, such as before 8 am or after 9 pm. Furthermore, the FDCPA requires debt collectors to stop contacting consumers if they have sent a written request to do so. Consumers also have the right to dispute the validity of a debt, and debt collectors cannot report false information to credit reporting agencies. The FDCPA is an important law that helps to protect consumers from unfair and deceptive debt collection practices. It is important for consumers to understand their rights under the law and to know that they do not have to put up with unfair or harassing creditor behavior.

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