Consumer Credit Laws

Fair Debt Collection Act, giving indebted consumers protection against harassment from debt collection agencies.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act applies to collection agencies, and exists to protect borrowers from harassment.

Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act:

Collection agencies can only contact you between the hours of 8 AM and 9 PM.
They cannot call you repeatedly.
They cannot call you at work if your job prohibits.
Collection agencies cannot disclose your debt to third parties when inquiring about your personal information.
If the borrower notifies the agency that he wishes all further information go through a lawyer, then the collection agency cannot contact the borrower directly.
The collection agency must notify the borrower that they are not the lender, but rather that they are trying to collect the debt on the lender's behalf.