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.

See all Topics

Why Are TCPA Cases Against ARM Firms Rising as FDCPA Cases Fall?

6 December 2012

Conviction Upheld for "Bags of Money" Debt Collector

26 November 2012

CFPB Supervision: Small Collection Agencies May be Examined

19 November 2012

Changes on the Horizon for Healthcare Debt Collectors

16 November 2012

Appeals Court Upholds Ruling for Debt Collector in FDCPA-TCPA Case

15 November 2012

SoundBite Communications Enhances Compliance Suite for Contact Centers

13 November 2012

Debunking Three Common Myths about CFPB Regulation of Debt Collectors

13 November 2012

Do Consumers Really "Trick" Debt Collectors into FDCPA Lawsuits?

12 November 2012

Supreme Court Hears Arguments in FDCPA Case

8 November 2012

What the Election Could Mean for the ARM Industry

7 November 2012

FDCPA Lawsuits Projected to Decline in 2012

31 October 2012

CFPB Debt Collection Field Hearing: Mixed Emotions

26 October 2012

Some Debt Collection Markets are Escaping CFPB Supervision

25 October 2012

Details on What CFPB Supervision will Mean for Larger ARM Firms

24 October 2012

U.S. Enabler of Indian Debt Collection Scam Settles with FTC

23 October 2012

First Choice Assets Reduces Litigation Exposure with LiveVox's Centralized Call Recording

22 October 2012

UPDATE: Location Announced for CFPB Field Hearing on Debt Collection

19 October 2012

ARM Firms Look to Self-Audits in Advance of CFPB Supervision

18 October 2012

Secrets to Defeating FDCPA Claims

18 October 2012

How Engaged is the CFPB with the ARM Industry?

17 October 2012