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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An letter from a debt collector that says "Past Due" in red on the outside [Image by creator Robert Mizerek from AdobeStock]

Collectors Take Note: FDCPA Litigation Over Letters Continues

4 April 2017

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Judge Dismisses FDCPA Credit Bureau Reporting Case Against Collector

30 March 2017

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Appeals Court Affirms Ruling Against Debt Buyer for Misleading Out-of-Stat Collection Letter

30 March 2017

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E-ZPass Collector Wins Dismissal; Court Rules Tolls Not Debts Under FDCPA

28 March 2017

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Out of Stat Debt Case Offers Three Lessons to Collectors

27 March 2017

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FTC Settles With Collector Over Multiple Alleged FDCPA Violations

27 March 2017

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Another Court Rules No FDCPA Violation For: “This settlement may have tax consequences. Please consult your tax advisor.”

20 March 2017

House to Begin Debate on Bill to Fix Class Action Litigation

9 March 2017

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FDCPA Caselaw Review for February 2017

9 March 2017

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49 Call Attempts in 18 Days with No Evidence of Intent to Harass = No FDCPA Violation

8 March 2017

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Debt Collectors Sued for Not Assessing Interest . . . Seriously?!?

2 March 2017

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Collection Letter Containing Check Box to Dispute Debt Created Potential FDCPA Claims, Federal Court Rules

1 March 2017

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Court Holds Collection Calls to a Wrong Person’s Home Phone are not a TCPA Violation

22 February 2017

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FTC Announces $700,000 Settlement with Debt Collector

15 February 2017

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District Court Rules FDCPA Plaintiff Not Entitled to Second Bite of the Apple

14 February 2017

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Court Rules 125 Calls in 135 Days is Not FDCPA Violation

9 February 2017

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Colorado Holds Hearing on Whether to Sunset Its Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

6 February 2017

Trump Orders Review of Dodd-Frank; Wants to Roll Back Regulation of Financial Institutions

6 February 2017

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9th Circuit Rejects "Worthless" Settlement in FDCPA Voicemail Case Where Message Left Was Similar to One Proposed by CFPB

2 February 2017

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Letter Asking Consumer to Consider Payment Arrangements and Requiring Signed Consent Judgment Deemed FDCPA Violation

1 February 2017