Debt collectors may cross legal lines with threats, harassment and deception. Know the red flags (and your rights).

Debt collectors are only permitted to contact you at your residence or workplace between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. in your local time unless you’ve directed otherwise. Receiving calls outside these hours is a ...

Only when they asked the debt collector for a debt validation letter to prove that they own the debt, they were hung up on. That, frankly, raises a red flag. It’s not unusual for a debt to be ...

If you need to contact a collection agency to dispute a debt, request a debt validation letter or ask the collection agency that all communication be in writing, use these templates on Consumer.gov.

Request a debt validation letter. ... Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you have the right to tell a zombie debt collector not to contact you.

Send a written cease-and-desist letter . The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) gives you the right to request that debt collectors stop contacting you, and they must comply with this request.

The origins of the fair debt collection practices act. First of all, aggressive debt collectors are nothing new. ... Sending a debt validation letter. Let’s face it: ...

Next, within 35 days of initial contact and without acknowledging the debt is yours, ask the creditor for a debt validation letter. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ...

Debt collectors calling before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., both of which are prohibited under federal debt collection laws. If you'd like to read specific details about these complaints, the CFPB's ...

Debt collectors must send a debt validation letter within five days of first contact. Learn what you need to know about debt validation letters. An icon in the shape of a person's ...