| The Federal Debt Collection Practices Act enforced | | | | -You have a right not to be called at your work |
| by the Federal Trade Commission regulates debt | | | | place. |
| collection practices. The guidelines laid down by this | | | | -The debt collector should not reveal information |
| prohibit any kind of harassment of consumers by the | | | | about you to any third party. |
| debt collectors. Knowing these guidelines helps you | | | | All the above need to be fulfilled by the debt |
| understand your rights as a consumer. You may sue | | | | collector. If he does not, you have a right to dispute |
| the collector for any violations in the Federal Debt | | | | the notice of the debt, right to contest the debt and |
| Collection Practices Act guidelines. | | | | right to get a verification of the debt. You have a |
| Your rights include: | | | | right to dispute over the phone but sending a cease |
| -You have a right not to take a call from a debt | | | | and desist letter through certified mail, with return |
| collector if you are not in favor of it. | | | | receipt requested will assure you of proof of his |
| -Should you take the call, you have a right to inform | | | | receipt. Once the cease and desist letter reaches |
| him not to call. | | | | him, he has to stop all the debt collection activity till |
| -If he calls repeatedly you may sue him. | | | | the debt is verified. |
| -You may not be harassed for a payment. | | | | Debt collectors resort to illegal and unfair ways to |
| -You have a right not to be subjected to abusive | | | | squeeze money from consumers. If you lack |
| language. | | | | knowledge of your protection rights laid by the |
| -The caller needs to give you his identity. | | | | Federal Debt Collection Practices Act you will become |
| -He should give you the exact amount of debt owed | | | | a victim to such tactics. These laws make sure that |
| by you. | | | | there is justice in debt collection. |