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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Second Circuit Rules Debt Collector did not Violate FDCPA by Sending Settlement Offer Without Disclosing Interest Would Continue to Accrue if Consumer did not Meet Payment Deadline

15 June 2021

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Two Judges Question whether the 7th Circuit has Gone Too Far in Standing Decisions

3 June 2021

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Consumer Relations Consortium Files Amicus Brief in Hunstein

2 June 2021

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Throwing Shade?: Latest Court to Cite Hunstein Ends up Quietly Torching its Article III Standing Analysis

2 June 2021

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Customer-Driven Collections Is the New ARMs Race - Creditors and Agencies Who Master it Will Win

27 May 2021

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Hunstein: Defendant files Petition for Rehearing En Banc

26 May 2021

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HUNSTEIN UPDATE: Court in Illinois Cites Hunstein with Approval While Distinguishing It

25 May 2021

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Southern District of California Says Unanswered Calls are Not a Communication

19 May 2021

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House Passes Debt Collection Improvement Act

17 May 2021

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The Comprehensive Debt Collection Improvement Act: An Explainer

13 May 2021

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Court Finds FDCPA SOL Accrues on Date Debt is Reported to CRA; FCRA Does Not Require Adherence to Metro 2 Guidelines

6 May 2021

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8th Cir. Rejects FDCPA Claims Relating to Assignment of Collection Services Agreement

5 May 2021

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Here's What's Wrong With Hunstein: Here’s the Simple and Obvious Spokeo Error That Led to the SCARIEST FDCPA Case Ever

4 May 2021

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CFPB Issues Interim Rule Applicable to FDCPA Debt Collectors Seeking to Evict Tenants For Non-Payment of Rent

29 April 2021

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Debt Collector Wins on Bona Fide Error Defense Where Dispute Letter Too Vague

28 April 2021

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BREAKING: 11th Circuit Holds Transmitting Data to Mail Vendor is Unauthorized Third-Party Disclosure

21 April 2021

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CFPB has Busy April - Reaches Agreements for Fines and Penalties with Two Organizations

21 April 2021

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3rd Cir. Holds No FDCPA Violation When Non-Interest-Bearing Debt Itemized ‘$0.00’ for Interest

21 April 2021

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Landmark Victory! Debt Collector Did Not Deceive Debtor Who Refused to Give Name

14 April 2021

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Regulation F FAQ: Disputes

24 March 2021