Federal Trade Commission's Debt Collection FAQs

The Federal Trade Commission, the government body that enforces the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), has compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding Debt Collection. Some of the questions answered include: 

• What types of debts are covered?
• Can debt collectors contact me any time or any place?
• How can a debt collector contact me?
• How can I stop a debt collector from contacting me?
• Can a debt collector contact anyone else about my debt?
• What does the debt collector have to tell me about the debt?
• What if I don’t think I owe the debt?
• What are debt collectors not allowed to do?
• Can I control which debts my payments apply to?
• What should I do if a debt collector sues me?
• Can a debt collector take money from my paycheck?
• Can my federal benefits be garnished?
• What if my debt is old?
• Can a debt collector contact me about a time-barred debt?
• What if I’m not sure whether my debt is time-barred?
• Does a time-barred debt stay on my credit report?
• Do I have to pay a debt that’s considered time-barred?
• What should I do if I’m sued for a time-barred debt?
• Where do I report a debt collector for an alleged violation?
• What else can I do if I think a debt collector has broken the law?

For answers to these questions and more information, please visit the FTC's FAQs about Debt Collection: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/debt-collection-faqs.