Can a debt collector ever increase the amount of a debt?

In Florida, a debt collector cannot increase the amount of a debt without the consent of the debtor or a court order. This is due to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, which is a federal law that protects consumers from unfair and abusive debt collection practices. The law prohibits debt collectors from charging fees that are not authorized by the original contract, or from adding on additional interest or fees. Furthermore, a debt collector is required to provide written verification of the debt, which must specify the exact amount due and list all fees or interest that have been added to the debt. If the debt collector cannot provide this written verification or if the amounts listed in the verification do not match the amount that the collector is asking for, the debt collector may not increase the amount of a debt. If a debt collector has made unauthorized changes to the debt, the debtor can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission or hire an attorney to assist them with their legal rights. Additionally, it is important for a debtor to keep track of any correspondence with the debt collector, including the verification of the debt, to ensure that the amount they owe is accurate.

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Can a debt collector ever increase the amount of a debt?

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