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Home English FAQs Collections-Creditors Rights Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

What Types Of Debt Collection Practices Are Prohibited?

Debt collectors may not harass, oppress, or abuse any person. For example, debt collectors 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;
misrepresent the involvement of an attorney in collecting a 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 also 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 credit intends to do so, and it is legal to do so (garnishment is currently prohibited in South Carolina for the collection of most debts);
actions, such as a lawsuit, will be taken against you, which legally may not be taken, or which they do not intend to take.

Debt collectors may not:

give false credit information about you to anyone;
send you anything that looks like an official document from a court or government agency when it is not;
use a false name.

Other Fair Debt Collection Practices Act FAQs

Q: What Is The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act?
A: The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act requires that debt collectors treat you fairly by prohibiting certain methods of debt collection.
Q: What Debts Are Covered?
A: Personal, family, and household debts are covered under the Act. This includes money owed for the purchase of an automobile, for medical care, or for charge accounts.
Q: Who Is A Debt Collector?
A: A debt collector is any person, other than the creditor, who regularly collects debts owed to others. Under a 1986 amendment to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, … More
Q: How May A Debt Collector Contact You?
A: A collector may contact you in person, by mail, telephone, telegram, or FAX. However, a debt collector may not contact you at unreasonable times or places, such as … More
Q: Can You Stop A Debt Collector From Contacting You?
A: You may stop a collector from contacting you by writing a letter to the collection agency telling them to stop. Once the agency receives your letter, they may not … More
Q: May A Debt Collector Contact Any Person Other Than You Concerning Your Debt?
A: If you have an attorney, the debt collector may not contact anyone other than your attorney. If you do not have an attorney, a collector may contact other people, but … More
Q: What Is The Debt Collector Required To Tell You About The Debt?
A: Within five days after you are first contacted, the collector must send you a written notice telling you the money you owe; the name of the creditor to whom you owe … More
Q: May A Debt Collector Continue To Contact You If You Believe You Do Not Owe Money?
A: A collector may not contact you if, within 30 days after you are first contacted, you send the collection agency a letter stating you do not owe money. However, a … More
Q: What Is The Debt Collector Required To Tell You About The Debt?
A: Within five days after you are first contacted, the collector must send you a written notice telling you the money you owe; the name of the creditor to whom you owe … More
Q: May A Debt Collector Continue To Contact You If You Believe You Do Not Owe Money?
A: A collector may not contact you if, within 30 days after you are first contacted, you send the collection agency a letter stating you do not owe money. However, a … More