The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) was enacted in 1977 to protect consumers from abusive, unfair, and deceptive practices by third-party debt collectors. The law details when and how a collector may contact a debtor. The government enforcer of the law has historically been the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), but some regulatory duties may be shared with the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection housed within the Federal Reserve, created in 2010. The FDCPA is a strict civil liability law, which means that a consumer need not prove actual damages in order to claim statutory damages of up to $1,000 per violation plus reasonable attorney fees.
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District Court in Eastern New York Says Leaving Message With Third Party Violates FDCPA
14 January 2016
Missouri Federal Court Says ‘Benign’ Language on Envelope Does Not Violate FDCPA
4 January 2016
FTC and CFPB File Amicus Brief in Carmen Franklin v. Parking Revenue Recovery Services, Inc.
21 December 2015
When is a Message a Communication "With" a Third Party? The Debate Rages On
18 December 2015
CFPB Issues Bulletin Warning About Risk of In-Person Collections
17 December 2015
Debt Collection Case Goes to Supreme Court
14 December 2015
Debt Buyer Loses Round Two in FDCPA Class Action Case
11 December 2015
FDCPA Lawsuit Tossed for Failure to Disclose Claim in Bankruptcy Petition
11 December 2015
CFPB Announces Settlement with Massachusetts Collection Agency
8 December 2015
Positive Ruling for Debt Collector in Allegedly Deficient Voice Message Case
3 December 2015
Written Procedures A Major Factor in Ruling Against Collector in FDCPA Bona Fide Error Case
30 November 2015
Motion Granted For Debt Collector in Envelope Case
20 November 2015
Illinois Bill Provides Welcome Fix to Illinois Collection Agency Act
19 November 2015
Judge Accepts $59 Million Settlement in Sykes vs. Mel S. Harris and Associates, Pending Fairness Hearing
18 November 2015
New Jersey Debt Collection Bill Requiring 'Good Faith' Identity Theft Determinations Passes Senate
16 November 2015
Consumer Litigation "Continues to Evolve in Lurches": Your October Debt Collection Stats
13 November 2015
Big Mistake! Three Compliance Risks Collectors Overlook
12 November 2015
Are We Closer to Understanding 'Meaningful Involvement'? Bock v. Pressler & Pressler May Show the Way
11 November 2015
Will You Know A “Dispute” When You See It?
10 November 2015
CFPB Issues Ninth Supervisory Highlights Report
4 November 2015