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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Maryland Attorney Faces 90-Day Suspension Over "Robo-Signing"

23 August 2013

When is a Lawyer or Law Firm "Regularly" Collecting Debts Under the FDCPA?

20 August 2013

Appeals Court Rules Against Collection Agency in FDCPA Litigation Case

19 August 2013

Getting it Almost Right Still Puts Collection Agencies on the Wrong Side of the FDCPA

15 August 2013

Charge of FDCPA Violation Dropped by Consumer Against Collection Law Firm

14 August 2013

California "Illegal Recording" Class Actions on the Rise

13 August 2013

Letter Violation Lawsuits Rise -- Avoid the Three Most Common Claims

13 August 2013

Columbia Ultimate Announces Comprehensive Compliance Management System for ARM Industry

13 August 2013

Great Debate: Does "Too Small Succeed" Mean "Too Small to Comply"?

12 August 2013

House Bill Offers Technical Fix to FDCPA for Collection Attorneys

5 August 2013

FTC Shuts Down Fake Debt Collection Agency

2 August 2013

KirkpatrickPrice Announces CFPB Readiness/Audit Services to the ARM Industry

29 July 2013

Does a Recent FDCPA Appellate Decision Conflict with CPFB Guidance?

25 July 2013

Debtor Contact Attempts: Enough is Enough!

24 July 2013

New Debt Buyer Law May Decrease Communication, Increase Litigation Between ARM Firms and Consumers

22 July 2013

Senate Hearing on Debt Collection Could Provide Clues on FDCPA Reform

18 July 2013

The FTC Thinks Foti Message Violates the FDCPA...Now What?

16 July 2013

FDCPA Reform Coming? Senate Subcommittee to Hold Hearings on Debt Collection

12 July 2013

Variety of Voices Featured at CFPB Debt Collection Field Hearing

10 July 2013

CFPB Tackles Debt Collection: Issues Bulletins for Collectors, Form Letters for Consumers, Warning for Banks

10 July 2013