What rights do I have when dealing with debt collectors?

When dealing with debt collectors in Washington, there are certain rights you have. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that provides consumers with protection against abusive, unfair, and deceptive debt collection practices. Under the FDCPA, debt collectors must treat consumers fairly and cannot harass, oppress, or abuse them. Debt collectors must provide written notice of the consumer’s right to dispute the debt, and consumers have the right to dispute any and all parts of the debt or to request validation of the debt. If the consumer requests validation, the debt collector must provide information regarding the original creditor, the amount of the debt, and any documentation of the debt. If the consumer disputes a debt, the debt collector must stop collection activities until the dispute is resolved. Debt collectors may not threaten to harm a consumer’s reputation or credit score, use profane language, or falsely represent themselves as lawyers or law enforcement officials. They must also communicate with a consumer in a reasonable manner, such as during normal business hours, unless a consumer agrees to other arrangements. If a debt collector has violated the FDCPA, consumers should report them to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or their local state attorney general. Consumers can also file a lawsuit in federal court against debt collectors that have violated their rights.

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What rights do I have when dealing with debt collectors?

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