FDCPA Law

Greenwood International has set up this FDCPA Law (Fair Debt Collection Practices Act) information page to help our existing and future clients understand the basics.

What debts are covered by FDCPA Law?

Personal, family, and household debts are covered under the act. This includes money owed for the purchase of a car, for medical care, or for charge accounts.

How may a debt collector contact you?

A collector may contact you in person, by mail, telephone, telegram, or fax.

Can you stop a debt collector from contacting you?

You can stop a debt collector from contacting you by writing a letter to the collection agency telling them to stop. Once the agency receives your letter, they may not contact you again except to say there will be no further contact or to notify you that the debt collector intends to take specific action. However sending such a letter to a collector does not make the debt go away if you actually owe it. You could still be sued by the debt collector or your original creditor.

What must the debt collector tell you about the debt?

Within five days after you are first contacted, the Fair Debt Collection Act requires the collector to send you a written notice telling you:

- the amount of money you owe
- the name of the creditor to
- whom you owe the money
- what action to take if you believe you do not owe the money.

What can you do if you believe a debt collector violated the Fair Debt Collection law?

You have the right to sue a collector in a state or federal court within one year from the date the law was violated. If you win, you may recover money for the damages you suffered plus an additional amount up to $1000. Court costs and attorneys fees also can be recovered. A group of people also may sue a debt collector and recover money for damages up to $500,000, or one percent of the collectors net worth, whichever is less.

Where can you report a debt collector for an alleged violation?

Greenwood International recommends that you report any problems you have with a debt collector to the Federal Trade Commission.(www.ftc.gov)

Click Here for Services that comply with FDCPA Law