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.

See all Topics

Davis Wright Tremaine Partner to Speak at FFIEC Authentication Guidance Examination Live Webcast

23 December 2011

FDCPA Ruling in Favor of Collector Defines One Aspect of "Communication"

22 December 2011

Doing it Wrong: Puffy Cheek Bandit Tries to Use the FDCPA in a Non-FDCPA Way, Fails

22 December 2011

FTC Wins $300,000 Debt Collection Case Against Payday Lender

19 December 2011

FDCPA Lawsuits Continue Downward Slide in November

14 December 2011

Debt Collection Cease and Desist Letters: The Unintended Consequences

6 December 2011

FDCPA Lawsuits Fall Again in First Half of November

30 November 2011

Even the Dictionary Hates Debt Collectors

21 November 2011

Weekly Wrap-Up Podcast - Week of November 14

20 November 2011

Court Ruling Favors Debt Collector; Provides Some Direction on "Harassment"

18 November 2011

NARCA Urges Supreme Court to Reject "Meaningful Involvement" Doctrine

17 November 2011

FDCPA Lawsuits Fall Slightly in Second Half of October

17 November 2011

Top Reasons Why Consumers Sue Debt Collectors

16 November 2011

NoLA District Attorney May Get $300k from Collection Lawsuit Against Gambler

14 November 2011

Doing it Wrong: Debt Collector Becomes Sex Collector, Says ABC 24

11 November 2011

Judge Sues Newspaper Over Debt Collection Stories

11 November 2011

Collection Agency Makes $4.3 Million Debt Cancellation Deal with State Enforcement Office

9 November 2011

"Return of the Billionaire Huckster" on Forbes.com (Spoiler: it's Bill Bartmann)

3 November 2011

Compliance with FTC Policy Causes FDCPA Class Action Lawsuit

3 November 2011

FDCPA Lawsuits Fall Back to Normal; Approach 10,000 for the Year

2 November 2011