Enacted by Congress to eliminate abusive, deceptive, and unfair debt collection practices, the **Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA / 15 U.S.C. § 1692)** establishes strict federal boundaries on how third-party collection agencies may communicate with consumers.
1. Key Collector Restrictions Under FDCPA
- Prohibited Calling Hours: Collectors cannot call before 8:00 AM or after 9:00 PM local time.
- Workplace Communication Ban: Once you notify a collector verbally or in writing that your employer prohibits personal calls, all workplace contact must cease immediately.
- Third-Party Disclosure Prohibition: Collectors cannot discuss your debt with neighbors, relatives, or coworkers (they may only contact third parties once to locate you).
- False Representation: Collectors cannot falsely claim to be attorneys, threaten imminent arrest, or misstate the amount of debt owed.