What else can a debtor do if they think a debt collector has broken the law?
Sophia Koch
Updated on January 25, 2026
Besides reporting them, you can sue a collector in a state or federal court. You’ll need to file your lawsuit within one year of when the collector broke the law. If you lost wages or had medical bills because of the things the debt collector did, you can sue for those damages.
Can debt collectors who violate the Fdcpa be sued in a court of law?
If a debt collector violates the FDCPA, you may sue that collector in state or federal court. You can even sue in small claims court. You must do this within one year from the date on which the violation occurred. The court might also order the debt collector to stop engaging in certain collection activities.
What is the best way to deal with collectors who break the law?
What to Do If Debt Collectors Break the Law
- Don’t hide from debt collectors. You can tell a collector to stop calling even if the collector is not breaking the law.
- File a complaint with the FTC.
- Send the complaint to state agencies.
- Send the complaint to the creditor and collection agency.
- Money damages.
What rights do I have against debt collection agencies?
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) The FDCPA prohibits debt collection companies from using abusive, unfair or deceptive practices to collect debts from you. The FDCPA covers the collection of: Mortgages. Credit cards.
What are the rules for a debt collection agency?
Those rules include: They must identify themselves as a debt collection agency and give their name and the address for the collection agency. They must tell you the name of the creditor (company or person you owe), the amount you owe and how you can dispute the debt or seek verification of the debt.
Can a debt collector take legal action against a debtor?
Although the debt is still legally acknowledged as being owed, the creditor is not able to take any legal action against the debtor in order to recover the debt. It is considered unfair if a creditor or debt collector misleads the debtor into believing the debt is still legally recoverable.
What can a collection agency do for You?
In other cases, a debt buyer, which may be a collection agency or a law firm, may purchase older debt for a percentage of its value in order to collect on its own. What can a collection agency do?
What can I do if a bill collector violates the FDCPA?
A collector may not contact you if, within 30 days after you are first contacted, if you send the collection agency a letter stating you do not owe money. However, a collector can renew collection activities if you are sent proof of the debt, such as a copy of a bill for the amount owed. What can I do if a bill collector violates the FDCPA?
