If a debt collector is harassing you, preserve every communication, request debt validation information, document the dates, times, and content of each contact, and state any communication restrictions you want the collector to follow. You may submit complaints to the CFPB or Florida agencies and speak with an attorney about whether the conduct violates the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act or the Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act. A written request can require an FDCPA-covered collector to stop most further communications.
Key Takeaways
- Debt collectors cannot use harassment, abuse, deception, or unfair collection methods.
- Florida law provides protections in addition to the federal FDCPA.
- A debt-validation notice can help identify the creditor, amount, and dispute process.
- A written request can require an FDCPA-covered collector to stop most further communications.
- Call frequency is only one factor; threats, profanity, deception, and privacy violations may be unlawful even when calls are less frequent.
- Federal and Florida claims have different filing deadlines.
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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