Here is the link to the excellent article about Fair Debt Collection Practices.
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0149-debt-collection
In general the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) “prohibits debt collectors from using abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices to collect on a debt”.
Some examples of what is prevented (and permissible):
Debt collectors cannot contact before 8AM or after 9PM
Cannot contact you at work (there are exceptions)
Must disclose they are debt collectors
May contact you by telephone, letter, email or text messages
Cannot harass, threaten or deceive
Important: Specific instructions are in the article about how to inform debt collectors that you do not want to be contacted.
If you are represented by an attorney, the debt collector must contact that attorney rather than you when they are notified.
There are certain of your funds that are exempt from garnishment (under most circumstances).
Those funds are Social Security, SSI Benefits, Veterans Benefits, Civil Service and Federal Retirement and Disability Benefits; Military Annuities and Survivors’ Benefits; and Federal Emergency Management Agency Federal Disaster Assistance (FEMA)
Here are two additional links to help you learn more about your rights:
https://www.consumeraction.org/downloads/english/2016_FDCPA_EN.pdf
https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/rules/rulemaking-regulatory-reform-proceedings/fair-debt-collection-practices-act-text
You do have rights and protections. It is beyond the scope of this article to enumerate all of them, so I encourage you to read the information included via the links.
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