Federal Regulations
There are several federal regulations designed to protect consumers and ensure businesses are acting in good faith when servicing consumers.
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), 15 U.S.C. § 1692 et seq., is a United States statute added in 1978 as Title VIII of the Consumer Credit Protection Act. Its purposes are to eliminate abusive practices in the collection of consumer debts, to promote fair debt collection and to provide consumers with an avenue for disputing and obtaining validation of debt information in order to ensure the information’s accuracy.
Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA)
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) places limits on unsolicited prerecorded telemarketing calls to be made to your landline home telephone. It also prohibits all autodialed or prerecorded calls or text messages to your cell phone. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued rules and regulations implementing the TCPA that went into effect in 1992.
Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR)
The Federal Trade Commission’s Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) puts you in charge of the number of telemarketing calls you get at home. The TSR established the National Do Not Call Registry, which makes it easier and more efficient for you to reduce the number of unwanted telemarketing sales calls you get.
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
The Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681, is U.S. Federal Government legislation enacted to promote the accuracy, fairness, and privacy of consumer information contained in the files of consumer reporting agencies.