What are the federal and state laws that apply to my collection efforts ?

Debt collectors may not harass, oppress or abuse any parties they contact. For example, they may not:

• Use threats of violence or harm.
• Publish a list of consumers who refuse to pay their debts (except to a credit bureau).
• Use obscene or profane language.
• Repeatedly use the telephone to annoy someone.

Debt collectors may not use false or misleading statements when collecting a debt. For example, they may not:

• Falsely imply that they are attorneys or government representatives.
• Falsely imply that you have committed a crime.
• Falsely represent that they operate or work for a credit bureau.
• Misrepresent the amount of your debt.
• Indicate that papers being sent to you are legal forms when they are not.
• Indicate that papers being sent to you are not legal forms when they are.

Debt collectors may not state that:

• You will be arrested if you do not pay your debt.
• They will seize, garnish, attach or sell your property or wages, unless the collection agency or creditor intends to do so, and it is legal to do so.
• They will take actions, such as a lawsuit, against you, when such action may not legally be taken or when they do not intend to take such action.

Debt collectors may not:

• Give false credit information about you to anyone, including a credit bureau.
• Send you anything that looks like an official document from a court or government agency when it is not.
• Use a false name.