The FDCPA is the main federal law that protects you from abusive debt collection practices. It applies to third-party debt collectors (collection agencies and debt buyers), not original creditors collecting their own debts. Knowing your rights can stop harassment and give you real power in dealing with collectors.
When they can contact you: Collectors can only call between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. in your local time zone. They cannot call you at work if you tell them your employer doesn't allow it. They cannot contact you at an unusual time or place that they know is inconvenient.
How they can contact you: They can call, send letters, email, or text message. But you can restrict how they contact you. If you send a written request saying "only contact me by mail," they have to respect that. Under the 2021 Regulation F update, collectors can send up to 7 calls per debt per week, and must wait at least 7 days after a conversation before calling again about the same debt.
What they cannot do:
Threaten violence or harm. Use profane or abusive language. Call repeatedly to harass you (more than the 7-call-per-week limit). Lie about the amount you owe. Claim to be an attorney or government official when they're not. Threaten to sue if they have no intention of doing so. Publish your name on a "bad debtor" list. Add unauthorized fees or charges. Contact you after you send a written cease-and-desist request (with two exceptions: they can send one final notice, and they can notify you of a specific action like filing a lawsuit).
Your right to validation: Within 5 days of first contacting you, the collector must send a written notice with the amount owed, the name of the original creditor, and a statement that you have 30 days to dispute the debt. If you dispute within 30 days, the collector must stop all collection activity until they verify the debt in writing.
If they violate the FDCPA: You can sue the collector in state or federal court. You can recover actual damages (including emotional distress), statutory damages up to $1,000 per lawsuit, and attorney's fees. Many consumer attorneys take FDCPA cases on contingency, meaning you pay nothing upfront. You can also file complaints with the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov and your state's Attorney General.
Keep a log of every call (date, time, what was said) and save every letter or message. This documentation is your evidence if you need to take action.