"Debt Collecter" are people or companies that contact consumers to collect money owed on a debt. If you've received a call from a debt collector, it's important to understand your rights and the collection process.

What Does a Debt Collector Do?

A debt collector can:

• Contact you by phone, mail, or text message about a debt.
• Investigate the debt to verify it's accurate.
• Ask you to repay the debt.

What Are Your Rights?

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) [US law] protects consumers from abusive debt collection practices. Here are some of your rights under the FDCPA:

• You can request that the debt collector communicate with you only in writing.
• You can dispute the debt in writing.
• The debt collector cannot harass you or threaten you with violence.
• The debt collector cannot lie to you about the debt or try to collect more than you owe.

What You Should Do

• If you are contacted by a debt collector, it's important to take the following steps:
• Ask for verification of the debt in writing.
• Review the information carefully.
• If you don't recognize the debt, dispute it in writing.
• If you believe the debt collector is harassing you, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) [US government agency].

Conclusion

Debt collection can be stressful, but it's important to know your rights. By understanding the process and following these steps, you can deal with debt collectors in a more informed way.