The document outlines the regulations governing debt collectors, including their rights, responsibilities, and limitations under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. It details what debt collectors can and cannot do, such as the requirement to identify themselves and cease contact upon request. Additionally, it provides guidance on how consumers can deal with debt collectors and the steps to take if they believe their rights have been violated.

1. When Debt Collectors CallConsumer Affairs BranchFairfax County Department ofCable and Consumer Servicesfairfaxcounty.gov/consumer

2. A debt collector is any person, other than the creditor, who collects debts owed to others. May contact you if you fall behind in paying your bills or if an error is made on your account.fairfaxcounty.gov/consumerDEBT COLLECTORS

3. HouseholdFamilyPersonal debtsautomobilemedical carecharge accounts.fairfaxcounty.gov/consumerWhat Debts are Covered?

4. Hammer you with phone callsThreaten you with court Use abusive and profane languageIn the business to make a profitfairfaxcounty.gov/consumerDEBT COLLECTORS

5. Regulates: debt collection companiescollection attorneysDoes not regulate the creditorfairfaxcounty.gov/consumerFair Debt Collection Practices Act

6. Must identify themselves to you on the phone.Must stop contacting you if you ask them to do so in writing. fairfaxcounty.gov/consumerWhat Must Debt Collectors Do?

7. Contact you In personBy mailTelephoneTelegramFaxContact you between 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. Contact you at work only if they know your employer approves. fairfaxcounty.gov/consumerWhat Can Debt Collectors Do?

8. Contact other people to find out where you live, your phone number, and where you work. Cannot call a third party more than once, unless in special circumstances.fairfaxcounty.gov/consumerWhat Can Debt Collectors Do?

9. Harass, oppress, or abuse you or a third party they contact.May not lie when collecting debts.May not falsely imply that you have committed a crime.fairfaxcounty.gov/consumerWhat Can’t Debt Collectors Do?

10. Tell anyone other than you or your attorney that you owe money.Indicate that papers being sent to you are not legal forms when they are. fairfaxcounty.gov/consumerWhat Debt Collectors Can’t Do?

11. Within five days after they contact you, the collector must:Send you a written notice of the amount of money you owe.Identify the creditor to whom you owe money.Explain what you can do it you do not owe the money.fairfaxcounty.gov/consumerWhat Must Debt Collectors Do?

12. If you send a letter within thirty days of receiving the notice stating you do not owe money, the collector may not contact you.If the collector sends proof of the debt, such as a copy of the bill, they can renew collection activities. fairfaxcounty.gov/consumerWhat Must Debt Collectors Do?

13. SEND A LETTEROnce the collector receives your letter, they may not contact you again except:To say there will be no further contact.Notify you that the debt collector or creditor intends to take other specific action.Sending a letter does not make the debt go away if you owe it. If you owe the debt, you can be sued by the debt collector or the original creditor.fairfaxcounty.gov/consumerHow to Deal with Debt Collectors

14. KEEP RECORDSFile all collection letters and keep detailed notes of each call. Make sure you get the person's name who is calling each time.fairfaxcounty.gov/consumerHow to Deal with Debt Collectors

15. You may sue a collector in a state or federal court within one year from the date the law was violated.If you win, you may recover money for the damages you suffered plus an additional amount up to $1,000.Court costs and attorney's fees can be recovered.fairfaxcounty.gov/consumerViolations of the FDCPA

16. Contact the Fairfax County Consumer Affairs Branch for more information: 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 433Fairfax, Virginia 22035703-222-8435 TTY 711www.fairfaxcounty.gov/consumerconsumer@fairfaxcounty.govfairfaxcounty.gov/consumerContact Consumer Affairs