LAWDOG Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

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Causing Charges Such As Collect Calls By Concealment

A debt collector may not use unfair or unconscionable means to collect or attempt to collect any debt. This includes causing charges to be made to any person for communications by concealment of the true purpose of the communication. Such charges include, but are not limited to, collect telephone calls and telegram fees. See Section 808 (5) of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act reproduced here for illustration purposes only.

Long Distance Calls To The Debt Collector

A portion of the FTC Official Staff Commentary on the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act reproduced here for illustration purposes only, includes the following:

"A debt collector may not call the consumer collect or ask a consumer to call him long distance without disclosing the debt collector's identity and the communications's purpose."

Prohibited Actions Not Limited To Listed Examples

Section 808 of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act prohibits a debt collector from using "unfair or unconscionable means" in debt collection activity. It provides eight examples of these unfair practices. However, prohibited actions are not limited to the eight subsections listed as examples of activities that violate this provision. See each of the other illustrations from the previous menu.

A copy of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is reproduced for illustration purposes only here. A copy the FTC Official Staff Commentary on the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is reproduced for illustration purposes only here. Read Sources and Disclaimer. Links do not return to this page. Use browser "back" button to return.

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