The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) (15 USC 1692 et seq.), which became effective in March 1978, was designed to eliminate abusive, deceptive, and unfair debt collection practices. The FDCPA applies only to the collection of debt incurred by a consumer primarily for personal, family, or household purposes.

What happens when you have debt in another country?

Technically, nothing happens to your debt when you leave the country. It’s still your debt, and your creditors and collectors will continue trying to get you to pay it back. Depending on the size of the debt, the creditor may choose to bring suit against you in your new country of residence.

What is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act?

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is the main federal law that governs debt collection practices.

Who are the debt collectors under the FDCPA?

The FDCPA does not cover business debts. It also does not generally cover collection by the original creditor to whom you first became indebted. Under the FDCPA, debt collectors include collection agencies, debt buyers, and lawyers who regularly collect debts as part of their business.

Are there laws that limit what debt collectors can say or do?

Most states have laws about debt collection practices, many of which are similar to the FDCPA. Some of those state laws cover the original creditor, while others don’t. States also have Unfair and Deceptive Acts and Practices laws that may apply to debt collection.

Are there abusive or deceptive debt collection practices?

There is abundant evidence of the use of abusive, deceptive, and unfair debt collection practices by many debt collectors. Abusive debt collection practices contribute to the number of personal bankruptcies, to marital instability, to the loss of jobs, and to invasions of individual privacy.