The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act gives 77 million Americans the right to sue debt collectors for free — and almost nobody knows it. Me vs. Collector exists to change that. One case at a time.
Answer 10 plain-English questions. Any “yes” may mean your collector violated federal law — and you can fight back for free.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (15 U.S.C. § 1692) is federal law. These aren’t suggestions — they’re violations that let you sue for up to $1,000 per incident plus actual damages and attorney fees. You have one year from each violation to file. Read the Full FDCPA Text here on FTC.gov
Collectors may not contact you before 8:00 AM or after 9:00 PM your local time. One call outside these hours is a federal violation.
You cannot be arrested for an unpaid civil debt. Any threat of arrest, criminal prosecution, or jail time for not paying is explicitly illegal.
Once you tell a collector your employer prohibits such calls, they must stop. Continuing after that notice is a clear violation.
Collectors can only contact third parties to locate you — they cannot discuss your debt with family, neighbors, or friends.
Collectors cannot misrepresent the debt amount, add unauthorized fees, or claim you owe more than you do. Any false statement is illegal.
A federal bright-line rule: collectors may not call more than 7 times in 7 consecutive days, or within 7 days of speaking with you.
A written cease-and-desist creates a legal obligation to stop contact. Continuing to call after receiving it is a textbook federal violation.
Claiming to be an attorney, law enforcement, or government official is explicitly illegal. Any false claim of authority is a violation.
Threatening legal action on time-barred debt without disclosure may be deceptive. Every debt has a statute of limitations — collectors know it and count on you not knowing it.
Federal law built this fee structure deliberately — to create attorneys who are financially motivated to hunt for FDCPA violations on your behalf, no government agency required.
A call at 11pm. A threat of arrest. Your boss getting called. Any of our 10 questions — that’s your starting point.
FDCPA attorneys evaluate your case at no charge — they’re deciding whether to take it, not billing you for their time.
If your case has merit, they fund everything — filing fees, court costs, their time. Your upfront cost: zero.
FDCPA § 813 requires the losing collector to pay your attorney’s fees. You get your damages. They pay everything.
Contingency means the attorney absorbs a loss, not you. Your financial downside is zero. Your 1-year clock is the only pressure.
Per FDCPA § 813(a). Actual amounts vary by case. This is general information — not legal advice. Connect with a licensed FDCPA attorney to evaluate your situation.
According to FTC Data: Debt collection complaints doubled in a single year — over 400,000 Americans reported harassing calls in 2025 alone. — It's time to fight back.
The CFPB directed staff to stop all supervision, enforcement, rulemaking, investigations, and public communications. Debt collectors know the cop is gone. Complaint volumes doubled. The FDCPA still gives you a private right to sue — without the CFPB, without any government help at all.
Free resources and guides — built for the person who just got their first threatening call and doesn’t know where to start.
10 questions. Instant results. Find out if your collector broke federal law and whether you have grounds for a free case.
Featured GuideCall frequency, workplace calls, arrest threats, cease-and-desist rights — the six most-searched debt harassment questions, answered.
Free GuideThe most common illegal tactic — and the most terrifying. What the law says and what to do in the next 24 hours.
Free GuideUnder FDCPA § 805(c), one written request forces collectors to stop all contact. Includes a full letter template and delivery instructions.
Free GuideCollectors must prove the debt is yours if you ask within 30 days of first contact. Most people never ask. Here’s the letter to send.
Cease-and-desist template, call log tracker, debt validation letter, dispute letter — everything in one download.
5 days. 5 emails. The exact playbook we’d use if we were in your shoes — your rights, your leverage, your next move.
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