Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 USC § 1692 et seq.

§ 1692. Congressional findings and declaration of purpose

§ 1692a. Definitions

As used in this subchapter -

§ 1692b. Acquisition of location information

Any debt collector communicating with any person other than the consumer for the purpose of acquiring location information about the consumer shall -

§ 1692c. Communication in connection with debt collection

§ 1692d. Harassment or abuse

A debt collector may not engage in any conduct the natural consequence of which is to harass, oppress, or abuse any person in connection with the collection of a debt. Without limiting the general application of the foregoing, the following conduct is a violation of this section:

§ 1692e. False or misleading representations

A debt collector may not use any false, deceptive, or misleading representation or means in connection with the collection of any debt. Without limiting the general application of the foregoing, the following conduct is a violation of this section:

§ 1692f. Unfair practices

A debt collector may not use unfair or unconscionable means to collect or attempt to collect any debt. Without limiting the general application of the foregoing, the following conduct is a violation of this section:

§ 1692g. Validation of debts

§ 1692h. Multiple debts

If any consumer owes multiple debts and makes any single payment to any debt collector with respect to such debts, such debt collector may not apply such payment to any debt which is disputed by the consumer and, where applicable, shall apply such payment in accordance with the consumer's directions.

§ 1692i. Legal actions by debt collectors

§ 1692j. Furnishing certain deceptive forms

§ 1692k. Civil liability

§ 1692l. Administrative enforcement

§ 1692m. Reports to Congress by the Commission; views of other Federal agencies

§ 1692n. Relation to State laws

This subchapter does not annul, alter, or affect, or exempt any person subject to the provisions of this subchapter from complying with the laws of any State with respect to debt collection practices, except to the extent that those laws are inconsistent with any provision of this subchapter, and then only to the extent of the inconsistency. For purposes of this section, a State law is not inconsistent with this subchapter if the protection such law affords any consumer is greater than the protection provided by this subchapter.


On December 22, 1997, a United States District Judge ruled that the procedures required by New York State Law for a landlord to collect rent are illegal under federal law! This means: It is now illegal to collect rent! Now you can live rent free in New York City!

Here is the Court's Decision: Memorandum Opinion of Judge Lewis A. Kaplan .

Contact address - please send e-mail to the following address: Sloan@ishipress.com