FDCPA Statistics
Debt collection consistently ranks as one of the top consumer-complaint categories at the CFPB and FTC.
By the numbers
The CFPB receives 80,000+ debt-collection complaints per year. Roughly one in three U.S. adults has been contacted by a debt collector, and one in four say the collector's information was inaccurate.
Most common violations
Continued attempts to collect a debt the consumer doesn't owe, harassing communication tactics, and false or misleading representations top the list.
Enforcement results
The CFPB and FTC together have secured hundreds of millions of dollars in consumer restitution and civil penalties from collection firms over the past decade.
Private lawsuits
Thousands of individual FDCPA lawsuits are filed each year. Most settle quickly, often for the $1,000 statutory cap plus fees.
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Frequently asked questions
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