How to Report Collection Agencies to the Federal Government
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the federal consumer protection agency. This arm of the federal government gathers consumer complaints about a range of unfair and/or illegal business practices. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is the FTC's legal means to protect debtors from illegal debt collection practices. Persons who are victims of such practices have recourse through the FTC (see Resources).
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
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1
Determine if the debt collector is attempting to collect a debt covered by the FDCPA. According to the FTC, debts in the act are "personal, family, and household debts," which include mortgages, auto loans, credit cards and medical bills. Business debts are not covered.
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2
Find out if the collection agency is violating FTC/FDCPA guidelines. According to the FTC, these violations include, but are not limited to, harassment, making false statements or threatening with violence. Debt collectors, for example, cannot use abusive or oppressive tactics against you or any person they contact when attempting to speak with you. Collection agents may not lie or threaten you when attempting to collect a debt. Debt collectors cannot misrepresent themselves as attorney, for example. They may not threaten you with jail, and they cannot threaten garnishment of wages unless they legally can and will do so.
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3
Review the FTC rules carefully. Make notes. Keep track of dates, letters sent and conversations. Use the FTC online complaint assistant (see Resources) or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).
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