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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Midland Dodges Class Certification Request in Illinois Letter Case

27 July 2017

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Consumer's Credit Repair Agreement Becomes Issue in Collection Dispute

20 July 2017

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5th Cir. Holds Debt Collector’s Obligation to Report Debt as Disputed Not Limited By § 1692g

20 July 2017

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Third Circuit Rules in Favor of Debt Collector in Font Size Case

17 July 2017

House Subcommittee Considers Bills, Including Debt Collection

13 July 2017

Two binders that say "procedure" and "policies" sitting on a stack of flow charts [Image by creator vinnstock from AdobeStock]

Calls to Consumer Prior to Processing Cease & Desist Letter Do Not Violate FDCPA

11 July 2017

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$25 Medical Bill Turns into $34,500 TCPA Judgment and FDCPA Claim for Damages Still to be Litigated

5 July 2017

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FDCPA Case Law Review for April and May 2017

28 June 2017

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Minnesota Court Rules Attorney Serving Notice of Lien Not Immune from FDCPA Requirements

22 June 2017

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$200 Debt Turns into $500 Jury Verdict …and $36,000 in Attorney Fees

20 June 2017

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What You Should Know About "Standing" Since Spokeo

19 June 2017

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WV Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Debt Collector on Call Volume

14 June 2017

Man in a suit holding a large cardboard box that says "Dismissed" [Image by creator nito from AdobeStock]

Federal Court Dismisses Class Action Alleging Solicitation for Payments on Time-Barred Debt is "Misleading" Under FDCPA

13 June 2017

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Suggestive Medical Collection Letters under Fire in Texas FDCPA Class Action

12 June 2017

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Court Sides With Collector on Out-of-Stat Disclosure

7 June 2017

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Motions for Summary Judgment Denied in Case of Collection Letter That Failed to State Interest Would Accrue

6 June 2017

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Collection Letter That Failed to State Interest or Fees No Longer Accruing Does Not Violate FDCPA

5 June 2017

No Documented Procedures, No Bona Fide Error Defense

18 May 2017

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Court Rules Sending Validation Through CFPB Portal Does Not Satisfy FDCPA

4 May 2017

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Colorado's FDCPA Adds Media Requirements, Removes its Collection Agency Board

25 April 2017