FDCPA (Fair Debt Collection Practices Act)

The federal law that regulates third-party debt collectors, prohibiting abusive, deceptive, and unfair collection practices. Under §1692g it gives you the right to demand validation of a debt; if you dispute the debt in writing within 30 days of the collector's initial communication, the collector must cease collection until it mails you verification. It also restricts when and how collectors may contact you.