Debt collectors have rules. When they break them — harassing you, threatening you, contacting your family — federal law gives you the right to sue. We make them pay.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is a federal law that regulates how third-party debt collectors can communicate with consumers. Enacted in 1977, it prohibits abusive, deceptive, and unfair debt collection practices. It applies to anyone who regularly collects debts owed to another — collection agencies, debt buyers, and collection attorneys.
Under the FDCPA, collectors cannot call you before 8am or after 9pm, cannot use profane or abusive language, cannot threaten actions they cannot legally take, and cannot contact third parties about your debt (with limited exceptions). The law evaluates violations from the perspective of the "least sophisticated consumer" — meaning even if a threat seems implausible to a lawyer, it may still be actionable if it could mislead an unsophisticated person.
Critically, the FDCPA contains a fee-shifting provision. When you win, the collector pays your attorney's fees. This means there is zero out-of-pocket cost to you — the company that broke the law funds the enforcement.
Debt collectors frequently cross legal lines. Here are the violations we see most often.
Collectors calling before 8:00 AM or after 9:00 PM in your time zone. Each call at a prohibited time is a separate violation.
Contacting your family, friends, neighbors, or employer about your debt. The FDCPA strictly limits who a collector can contact.
Threatening lawsuits they won't file, wage garnishment they can't execute, or arrest for a civil debt. These are per se violations.
Collectors must send written validation within 5 days of first contact. Failure to provide this notice, or continuing collection during a 30-day validation period after a dispute, violates the Act.
Once you dispute a debt in writing, the collector must cease collection until they verify the debt. Continuing to call or send letters during this period is unlawful.
Using obscene language, threats of violence, or repeatedly calling with intent to annoy or harass. The FDCPA prohibits all forms of oppressive conduct.
FDCPA violations can result in significant damages, all paid by the collector.
From case evaluation to recovery, we handle everything.
We review your call logs, collection letters, voicemails, and texts to identify every FDCPA violation.
We help you document ongoing violations — recording calls (where legal), saving letters, and logging contact attempts.
We send a demand or file suit in federal court. Most collectors settle quickly once they realize you have counsel.
You recover damages, the harassment stops, and the collector pays our fees. Your debt may also be resolved in the process.