Debt

FDCPA (Fair Debt Collection Practices Act) Federal law that limits how third-party debt collectors can contact and treat you

Jordan Park By Jordan Park, Senior Debt Relief Editor · Updated 2026-06-09
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The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. §1692 (1977), is a federal law that restricts how third-party debt collectors may pursue consumer debts. It bars collectors from calling before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., from harassing you, and from making false or misleading statements about what you owe. You have the right to demand written validation of a debt, and you can tell a collector in writing to stop contacting you. Importantly, the FDCPA generally does not cover original creditors collecting their own debts, so a lender's in-house collection team usually falls outside its protections, though some state laws reach further. The law gives you tools to dispute, verify, and control contact, but it does not erase a legitimate debt you actually owe.
Also Known As
FDCPA 15 U.S.C. §1692 Fair Debt Collection Practices Act of 1977 Federal debt collection law
Used in Context
  1. After a collector kept calling at 6 a.m., you cited the FDCPA's 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. rule and the calls stopped.
  2. A Dreamy Leads debt-relief partner explained that the FDCPA lets you send a written request to validate a debt before paying anything.
  3. Because the FDCPA does not cover original creditors, your bank's own collections department was not bound by its contact limits.
Related Terms
Debt Debt Validation Your right to make a debt collector prove a debt is actually yours and accurate Debt Cease and Desist Letter (Debt) A written notice that tells a debt collector to stop contacting you under the FDCPA Debt FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act) The federal law that controls how credit bureaus collect, report, and correct your credit data Debt Debt Management Plan (DMP) A nonprofit-arranged repayment program that consolidates your payments and often lowers your interest Debt Secured Debt Debt backed by collateral the lender can seize if you stop paying Debt 1099-C (Cancellation of Debt) The tax form lenders send when they forgive debt you may owe taxes on Debt Exempt Income Income and funds that creditors generally cannot garnish or seize from your bank account
Frequently Asked Questions

Does the FDCPA cover the original company I borrowed from?

Generally no. The FDCPA restricts third-party debt collectors, not original creditors collecting their own debts. So your bank's in-house collections team usually isn't covered, though some state laws apply similar rules to original creditors. Check your state's protections for additional coverage.

When can debt collectors legally call me?

Under the FDCPA, third-party collectors generally cannot call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. your local time. They also cannot harass you or make false statements. If a collector ignores these limits, you may have grounds to file a complaint or take legal action.

Can I make a debt collector stop contacting me?

Yes. The FDCPA lets you tell a third-party collector in writing to stop contacting you, and they generally must comply. You can also demand written validation of the debt. Stopping contact does not erase a debt you legitimately owe, and the collector may still pursue legal remedies.

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