What is the FDCPA?
What is the FDCPA?
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is legislation designed to protect the consumer from unfair and illegal debt collection methods. Since 1978, this law has outlined the regulations and standards that all debt collection agencies should abide by. The act limits where and when a person can receive collection calls, as well as prohibiting illegal and harassing behaviors such as:
- Using threatening, profane or abusive language
- Making continuous collection calls to annoy the debtor
- Providing misleading or false information
- Calling any time before 8:00am or after 9:00pm
How Does it Protect Consumers?
Not only is the FDCPA meant to protect the consumer, it is also used as a measure to protect reputable collection agencies. The language in the act holds debt collectors accountable for their actions and restricts the use of dishonest collection practices such as:
- Collecting any amount other than the specified debt
- Depositing postdated checks and payments before they are marked to be collected
- Threatening to take possession of property without the intention or right to do so
To find out more about the FDCPA and read the act in detail, please visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
FDCPA Violations
If you believe that a collection agency has violated one of the rules mentioned above, be aware that there are other ways to stop debt collectors and report them for dishonest practices before you retain the services of an attorney. Taking direct legal action against a debt collector can be both time-consuming and expensive. Additionally, if the court finds that the case was filed in bad faith, you may be held liable for the debt collection agency's legal fees.
Learn More
Are you being contacted by a debt collections agency? View
our FAQS to learn more about the debt collections process and common concerns.
At Convergent Outsourcing we not only uphold the standards addressed in the FDCPA, we seek to exceed them by providing exceptional customer service and support. To contact a representative with questions about your debt or to make a payment. Please give us a call at 1-800-444-8485. We also offer a simple online contact form where you can ask a question, make a complaint or request to be added to our Do Not Call List.
If you have questions or need to make a change to your account
About Us
In business since 1950, Convergent is one of America’s leading collections agencies. As an accredited agency, all of our representatives are thoroughly trained on customer service and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act compliance. We believe in customer service and want to make it easy as possible for people to pay the debts they owe.
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Our Contacts
800 SW 39th Street, Suite 100
Renton, WA 98057
800-444-8485
7 am to 5 pm Pacific Time
Monday to Friday
New York City Residents: Please be advised that language access services, including the translation of information into a language other than English, may be available. A translation and description of commonly-used debt collection terms is available in multiple languages on the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection’s website, www.nyc.gov/dca
Maryland Residents: This agency is licensed as NMLS ID # 930053. For more information or to verify license status, visit the NMLS Consumer Access website at https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/.
North Carolina Residents: This agency is licensed by the North Carolina Department of Insurance, Company Number: 119507691, 119500362, 119500979, 119500976, 119506893, 119507004, 119506891, 119506890, 119506889
California Residents: California license pending
