I had no idea what collectors were actually allowed to do. So I looked it up. Calling at work, contacting family, threatening arrest, how many calls is too many — here are the six questions I searched first and the answers I actually found.
The CFPB still exists — technically. But its mission has been changed, its staff gutted, and its headquarters closed. Here's what happened and what it means for you.
A debt collector threatening you with arrest is one of the most common — and most explicitly illegal — tactics in the industry. Here's exactly what the law says and what to do next.
Workplace harassment after notice is a clear FDCPA violation — and one of the easiest to prove. Here's exactly what the law says and how to document it.
One letter, sent certified mail, creates a legal obligation to stop all contact. Here's what I wrote, how I sent it, and what the law actually requires them to do next.
The CFPB's 2021 Regulation F created a bright-line rule: 7 calls in 7 days. If they crossed it, that's a federal violation with a paper trail in your phone records.
A step-by-step look at the FDCPA lawsuit process: finding an attorney, the free consultation, how cases typically resolve, and what the timeline looks like.
Medical debt has unique protections — from credit reporting rules to validation requirements. Collectors violate these constantly. Here's what applies to your situation.
A debt validation letter puts the whole collection on pause until they produce documentation. Most people never send one. Here's the letter, the 30-day window, and what happens when they can't verify.
Most people don't know the difference between a lawsuit threat and an actual lawsuit — or that being sued can actually work in your favor. The plain-English breakdown: default judgments, counterclaims, time-barred debt.
Every debt expires for legal purposes. Threatening to sue on time-barred debt is potentially illegal. Here's how to find out if your debt is past the limit — by state.
The FDCPA is a federal floor — many states have built additional protections on top. California, New York, and Texas all have stronger rules. Here's the full breakdown.