Consumer Help And The FDCPA

Are you looking for Consumer Help? Do you understand your debt and rights you have under the Fair Debt Collection and Practices Act, or FDCPA? Read this consumer help article for a few frequently asked questions on consumer debt and the FDCPA.

What kinds of debt are covered by the FDCPA?

The FDCPA covers personal, family and household debt. Those debts can include money you owe on a personal credit card, mortgage, auto loan, medical bill or student loans. The FDCPA does not cover commercial debts. For more information about the kind of debts collected by NCO Financial Systems, Inc., visit their Consumer Help website.

When and where can a debt collector contact me?

The FDCPA offers Consumer Help protection by setting guidelines on when debt collectors can call. A debt collector can contact consumers between 8 a.m. and  9 p.m where the consumer is located. If the consumer agrees, a debt collector can call outside of the hours specified by the law. A debt collector cannot call at work if the collector knows or has reason to know that consumer's employer bans employees from receiving calls at work.

How do I stop a debt collector from contacting me?

If you want to know how to stop a debt collector from calling, you may want to contact a representative for more information. You can find contact information at the NCO Financial Systems, Inc. Consumer Help website. However, requesting no further contact does not get rid of the debt.

Who can a debt collector contact about my debt?

The FDCPA allows a debt collector to contact the consumer who has the debt, the consumer's spouse, parent (if the consumer is a minor), guardian, executor or administrator. If the consumer retains a lawyer in the matter of  a debt, the debt collector must communicate with the lawyer.

What practices are off limits to debt collectors?

Debt collectors can not harass, oppress or abuse the consumer or any third party they contact, with violent threats or harm, public ridicule, obscene or profane language or repeatedly using the phone to annoy someone.

For more information about unfair debt practice and the debt collection process, visit NCO Financial Systems, Inc. Consumer Help website at www.consumerhelpunit.org.

We are required under state and federal law to notify consumers of the following rights. This list does not contain a complete list of the rights consumers have under state and federal law. Please click this link for important information about your rights. State and Federal Disclosure Link.