 TITLE: What Is a Collection Agency? CONTENT: What Are Debt Collectors Not Allowed to Do?\n-------------------------------------------\nThird-party debt collectors must abide by rules set forth in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and it's worth familiarizing yourself with the many provisions of the law. Here's a sampling of regulations with which debt collectors must comply:\n*   **Calls**: Collection agencies may only call you between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. If your employer doesn't permit you to take outside calls during work hours, debt collectors can't call you at work. They may not call you repeatedly in what amounts to harassment if you ask them to stop calling.\n*   **Mail**: An agency can send you mail, but can't send a postcard—the contents of which would be visible to anyone. If they send a letter, the envelope should not include a company logo or language that would identify it as being from a debt collector.\n*   **Contacting friends and family**: If a debt collection agency does not have your contact information, they are allowed to contact your relatives, neighbors and associates. However, they cannot reveal that they are collecting a debt and cannot discuss any aspect of your indebtedness with them.\n*   **Disclosure**: A collection agency must disclose who they are, that they are trying to collect a debt and that any information they obtain from you may be used to assist them in collecting the debt.\n*   **Threats, lies and obscenity**: Debt collectors can press you for payment, but they can't threaten your safety or use profanity. They also can't publicize your situation. And they can't lie—for instance, by saying they're about to file a lawsuit they have no intention of filing.\nAdditionally, the debt an agency is pursuing must be valid. You have the right to request, in writing, a debt validation letter showing how much you owe and to whom. The agency must provide this information within five days of initially contacting you.\nWith this information, you should be able to identify what the debt is, determine whether or not it's been previously paid, is the correct amount, and whether it is recent enough to fall within your state's statute of limitations (more on this later). You are also entitled to know the collection agency's name and mailing address so you can check with your creditor to confirm they are legitimate. END