As many Illinoisans and Chicagoans face uncertain financial times, more and more people are receiving communications regarding their consumer debts. Everyone should know that there are federally-imposed limits on debt collectors and debt collection agencies that protect consumers from fraud and unfair practices.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FCPA) protects consumers from unfair debt collection practices by requiring certain limits on debt collection agencies and debt collectors.

The FDCPA requires that a debt collector or debt collection agency identify themselves as a debt collector when contacting the consumer.

Debt collectors are also limited in how they may contact consumers about the debt owed. For instance, debt collectors may not call consumers outside of 8:00am and 9:00pm at the debtor’s local time. Debt collectors cannot send harassing or threatening communications or phone calls to consumers either. Debtors can be called at their places of work as well.

Many collection agencies utilize mail services to contact debtors. It is important to keep a vigilant eye on mail coming through from debt collectors to your home or place of work: debt collectors cannot mark the outside of the envelope indicating that it contains a letter to collect a debt.

If you believe that you have been improperly contacted by a debt collection agency you should consider speaking to a Chicago consumer protection attorney.