FDCPA Explained: Your Rights Against Debt Collectors
Collectors must validate the debt and stop specific conduct when told to in writing.
Table of contents
Who counts as a debt collector
Who counts as a debt collector. This is where most people either build leverage or lose it, and the difference is almost always documentation rather than legal knowledge.
Start by writing down what happened in plain chronological order, with dates and dollar amounts. That timeline becomes the factual spine of your demand letter and, if it comes to it, your small claims exhibit list.
Validation requests
Validation requests. This is where most people either build leverage or lose it, and the difference is almost always documentation rather than legal knowledge.
Put every step in writing, keep dated copies, and send anything important by certified mail. Companies respond to documented, deadline-bearing requests very differently than to phone calls that leave no record.
Generate Your Demand Letter
Free to preview, $2 to download as PDF or DOCX — statute-cited and ready to send.
Start freeProhibited conduct
Prohibited conduct. This is where most people either build leverage or lose it, and the difference is almost always documentation rather than legal knowledge.
Put every step in writing, keep dated copies, and send anything important by certified mail. Companies respond to documented, deadline-bearing requests very differently than to phone calls that leave no record.
Suing for violations
Suing for violations. This is where most people either build leverage or lose it, and the difference is almost always documentation rather than legal knowledge.
Put every step in writing, keep dated copies, and send anything important by certified mail. Companies respond to documented, deadline-bearing requests very differently than to phone calls that leave no record.