Who is not considered a debt collector as defined by the FDCPA?
A person who collects or attempts to collect defaulted debts that the person has purchased, but who does not collect or attempt to collect, directly or indirectly, debts owed or due, or asserted to be owed or due, to another, and who does not have a business the principal purpose of which is the collection of debts, is ...
The FDCPA applies only to the collection of debt incurred by a consumer primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. It does not apply to the collection of corporate debt or debt owed for business or agricultural purposes.
Harassment and Call Restrictions
Debt collectors cannot harass or abuse you.
The FDCPA prohibits debt collection companies from using abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices to collect debts from you. The FDCPA covers the collection of debts that are primarily for personal, family, or household purposes.
5481(5)). (g) Creditor means any person who offers or extends credit creating a debt or to whom a debt is owed. The term creditor does not, however, include any person to the extent that such person receives an assignment or transfer of a debt in default solely to facilitate collection of the debt for another.
So, a debt buyer is not considered a "debt collector" for the purposes of the FDCPA if (1) it doesn't collect debts owed or due to another and (2) doesn't have a business with the principal purpose of collecting debts.
Under this Act (Title VIII of the Consumer Credit Protection Act), third-party debt collectors are prohibited from using deceptive or abusive conduct in the collection of consumer debts incurred for personal, family, or household purposes.
If you are struggling with debt and debt collectors, Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC can help. As soon as you use the 11-word phrase “please cease and desist all calls and contact with me immediately” to stop the harassment, call us for a free consultation about what you can do to resolve your debt problems for good.
Under the FDCPA, a debt collector is someone who regularly collects debts owed to others, such as a collection agency. A bank collecting its own debt in its own name is not considered a debt collector and may attempt to collect debts owed in a reasonable manner, including telephone calls to the borrower.
Harassment of the debtor by the creditor – More than 40 percent of all reported FDCPA violations involved incessant phone calls in an attempt to harass the debtor.
Why you should never pay a collection agency?
By paying the collection agency directly, the notification of the debt could stay on your credit report longer than if you attempt to use another option, like filing for bankruptcy. When institutions check your credit report and see this information on it, it may harm your ability to obtain loans.
The 7-in-7 rule explained
Collectors are permitted to place a call to the consumer about a particular debt seven (7) times within a period of seven (7) consecutive days, so long as no contact is made with the consumer in any of the attempts.
At a minimum, it must produce: A copy of the original written agreement between the parties, such as the loan note or credit card agreement, preferably signed by you. If the account has been sold to another creditor, that creditor must prove that it has the right to sue to collect the debt.
The FDCPA only applies to third-party debt collectors, such as those who work for a debt collection agency. Credit card debt, medical bills, student loans, mortgages, and other kinds of household debt are covered by the law.
The FDCPA defines a "creditor" as the person or entity that extended you the credit in the first place (in other words, your original lender). Because the FDCPA protects debtors against third-party debt collectors, it doesn't apply to your original creditor or its employees.
The original creditor is the company that gave you the loan or credit. An original creditor may attempt to collect a past due debt or account itself, or it may hire a debt collector. A debt collector is generally a third party who has been contracted to collect your debt or account.
A bailiff or enforcement agent has legal powers to collect a debt.
Under the FDCPA, first-party collections are not subject to the same rigorous regulations third-party agencies are required to uphold. This is mainly because the original creditor is usually protected under whatever agreement is signed by the creditor and the consumer.
Action against debt collectors for violations of the FDCPA or Regulation F may be brought in any appropriate U.S. district court or other court of competent jurisdiction. The consumer has one year from the date on which the violation occurred to start such an action.
The amended FDCPA allows debt collectors to use newer technologies, such as email and text messages, to communicate with consumers regarding their debts, subject to certain limitations, which protect consumers against harassment or abuse.
Does a debt collector have to identify themselves?
Under the FDCPA, debt collectors are required to identify themselves when they attempt to collect a debt as well as note that any information you give them will be used in an attempt to collect the debt. They also must give you the name of their company or agency.
State | Written | Oral |
---|---|---|
Alaska | 6 years | 6 |
Arizona | 5 years | 3 |
Arkansas | 6 years | 3 |
California | 4 years | 2 |
- Keep a record of all communication with debt collectors.
- Send a Debt Validation Letter and force them to verify your debt.
- Write a cease and desist letter.
- Explain the debt is not legitimate.
- Review your credit reports.
- Explain that you cannot afford to pay.
So, if you want to bypass a debt collector, contact your original creditor's customer service department and request a payment plan. They may be willing to resume control of your account and put you on a flexible repayment plan.
Collection agencies can access your bank account, but only after a court judgment. A judgment, which typically follows a lawsuit, may permit a bank account or wage garnishment, meaning the collector can take money directly out of your account or from your wages to pay off your debt.
References
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