You may be able to sue a debt collector for harassment when its conduct violates the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act or the Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act. A successful claim can recover actual damages, statutory damages up to $1,000, court costs, and reasonable attorney fees, and Florida law may also permit punitive damages and equitable relief. The FDCPA deadline is generally one year from the violation, and the Florida FCCPA deadline is generally two years.
Key Takeaways
- You may have claims under federal law, Florida law, or both.
- The FDCPA generally applies to qualifying debt collectors.
- Florida law prohibits specified conduct by persons collecting consumer debts.
- A lawsuit can seek actual and statutory damages.
- The federal deadline is generally one year from the violation.
- The Florida FCCPA deadline is generally two years.
- Good documentation can be essential to proving the claim.
This article provides general information and is not legal or financial advice. Rights, remedies, communication restrictions, and filing deadlines depend on the collector, type of debt, evidence, applicable statutes, and individual circumstances. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship.
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