{"id":368871,"date":"2021-09-20T14:35:36","date_gmt":"2021-09-20T19:35:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/litigation\/filing-a-lawsuit\/can-i-sue-a-debt-collector.html"},"modified":"2026-06-01T12:54:07","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T17:54:07","slug":"can-i-sue-a-debt-collector","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/filing-a-lawsuit\/can-i-sue-a-debt-collector.html","title":{"rendered":"Can I Sue a Debt Collector?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Can I Sue a Debt Collector?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Steven Ellison, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Joseph Fawbush, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Yes, you may be able to sue a debt collector or a debt collection agency if it engages in abusive, deceptive, or unfair behavior. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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A\u00a0debt collector\u00a0is often\u00a0someone who buys a debt from a creditor who, for whatever reason, has been unable to collect from a consumer. They often\u00a0pay much\u00a0less than what the consumer owes, as\u00a0creditors\u00a0prefer to get some money rather than none.\u00a0Then the debt collector goes after the consumer for the full amount of the debt.<\/p>\n

The bottom line is that debt collection agencies<\/a> have invested in your debt and\u00a0must\u00a0pursue collection with aggressiveness\u00a0to make money.\u00a0This incentive to be aggressive can sometimes lead debt collection agencies to cross the line into unlawful behavior.<\/p>\n

When they do, you have legal options, including the right to sue. Be aware of the one-year statute of limitations<\/a>. A\u00a0litigation or collections attorney<\/a> can help you start the process.<\/p>\n

What To Expect When a Debt Collector Is Pursuing You<\/h2>\n

The process can be overwhelming. You get call after call, letter after letter demanding payment. You’re nervous whenever the phone rings and dread checking the mail because of what you may find. This can cause a lot of anxiety.<\/p>\n

You do\u00a0have some protection. Debt collectors and debt collection agencies must abide by strict rules when seeking to collect a debt. Although you may have remedies under state law as well, the federal\u00a0Fair Debt Collection Practices Act<\/a>\u00a0(FDCPA) protects you against abusive practices.<\/p>\n

What Is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act?<\/h2>\n

Congress believed that many debt collectors engaged in abusive, deceptive, and unfair debt collection practices. In its view, these practices contributed to\u00a0personal bankruptcies<\/a>, marital instability, the loss of jobs, default judgments, and in general\u00a0invaded consumers’ privacy. So it passed a law to stop this behavior.<\/p>\n

The FDCPA applies to debt collectors and debt collection agencies that try to collect consumer debts, such as:<\/p>\n