Source: https://kahnandassociates.com/learning-center/fdcpa-statute/
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 04:06:13+00:00

Document:
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is an important consumer law that is a part of the Consumer Credit Protection Act. It protects consumers from unfair, deceptive and abusive debt collectors and collection harassment. Among other things, the FDCPA prohibits debt collectors from harassing and abusing a consumer, reporting inaccurate information about a debt, suing a consumer after the statute of limitations has expired, and contacting most third parties such as neighbors. In addition, the FDCPA gives the consumer the right to demand that the debt collector provide verification of a debt (called validation) and cease contact if such a demand is made properly by the consumer. If a consumer proves that a debt collector violated the law, the FDPCA provides that a consumer may recover statutory damages up to $1000, as well as any actual damages.
§ 1692c. Communication in connection with debt collection—The FDCPA limits what types of communications a debt collector can and cannot have with a consumer.
(3) The publication of a list of consumers who allegedly refuse to pay debts, except to a consumer reporting agency or to persons meeting the requirements of section 1681a(f) or 1681b(3) of this title.
(6) Except as provided in section 1692b of this title, the placement of telephone calls without meaningful disclosure of the caller’s identity.
Example: debt collector failing to tell consumer who they are , what company they work for, etc.
§ 1692e. False or misleading representations—In addition to prohibiting abuse and harassment, the FDCPA prohibits debt collectors from making false or misleading statements or statements in an effort to coerce payment of the debt. The FDCPA specifically defines what types of statements are false and/or misleading.
Example of this would be telling a consumer that a debt will stay on the consumer’s credit report beyond the time-period permitted by the FCRA or that the debt collector has reported a debt to a credit bureau when they haven’t).
(1) The collection of any amount including any interest, fee, charge, or expense incidental to the principal obligation) unless such amount is expressly authorized by the agreement creating the debt or permitted by law.
§ 1692g. Debt Validation–This section gives consumers the right to demand that a debt collector provide verification of a debt. For example, if the consumer disputed the debt as not being his or hers and demanded verification of it, this would require the debt collector to provide some evidence showing the consumer’s liability (like a credit application or receipt for a purchase.
If the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period described in subsection (a) of this section that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, or that the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector shall cease collection of the debt, or any disputed portion thereof, until the debt collector obtains verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment, or the name and address of the original creditor, and a copy of such verification or judgment, or name and address of the original creditor, is mailed to the consumer by the debt collector. Collection activities and communications that do not otherwise violate this subchapter may continue during the 30-day period referred to in subsection (a) of this section unless the consumer has notified the debt collector in writing that the debt, or any portion of the debt, is disputed or that the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor. Any collection activities and communication during the 30-day period may not overshadow or be inconsistent with the disclosure of the consumer’s right to dispute the debt or request the name and address of the original creditor.
A communication in the form of a formal pleading in a civil action shall not be treated as an initial communication for purposes of subsection (a) of this section.
The sending or delivery of any form or notice which does not relate to the collection of a debt and is expressly required by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, chapter 94 of this title [15 U.S.C.A. § 6801 et seq.], or any provision of Federal or State law relating to notice of data security breach or privacy, or any regulation prescribed under any such provision of law, shall not be treated as an initial communication in connection with debt collection for purposes of this section.
§ 1692j. Furnishing certain deceptive forms—Debt Collectors cannot use deceptive forms which trick a consumer into paying a debt.
(b) Any person who violates this section shall be liable to the same extent and in the same manner as a debt collector is liable under section 1692k of this title for failure to comply with a provision of this subchapter.
§ 1692k. Civil liability—If a debt collector violates the FDPCA, the consumer can sue the company AND recover attorney’s fees and costs.
(6) the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 [7 U.S.C.A. § 181 et seq.] (except as provided in section 406 of that Act [7 U.S.C.A. §§ 226, 227]), by the Secretary of Agriculture with respect to any activities subject to that Act.
(a) Not later than one year after the effective date of this subchapter and at one-year intervals thereafter, the Commission shall make reports to the Congress concerning the administration of its functions under this subchapter, including such recommendations as the Commission deems necessary or appropriate. In addition, each report of the Commission shall include its assessment of the extent to which compliance with this subchapter is being achieved and a summary of the enforcement actions taken by the Commission under section 1692 of this title.
(b) In the exercise of its functions under this subchapter, the Commission may obtain upon request the views of any other Federal agency which exercises enforcement functions under section 1692 of this title.

References: § 1692

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 § 6801

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