The Federal Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) was created to set specific guidelines for the collection of debts. This Act is very specific, detailing how a consumer can dispute the validity of a debt and how a credit reporting agency must verify a debt upon the request of a consumer.
The laws specify the frequency of contact that is permitted when collecting a debt and the hours that contact can be made, which are from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. The FDCPA also establishes that debt collection agencies violating the Act can face civil penalties of up to $1,000 per infraction when civil action is filed.
Wyoming FDCPA Laws and How They Work
The FDCPA is nationwide, meaning it applies in every state including Wyoming. While the FDCPA is very detailed and precise, states can enact additional laws to protect consumers and to clarify details further. In Wyoming, legislators have enacted the Wyoming Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
The Act includes details about Wyoming being a one-party consent state, which means only the permission of one party involved in the call is required to record the phone conversation. The Wyoming Act sets very specific statutes of limitations on debt collection. According to the Act, any contract, agreement, or promise in writing can be collected for 10 years while an unwritten contract that is implied or express has an eight-year time limit.
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Differences in FDCPA and the Wyoming Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
While the FDCPA offers precise guidelines, the Wyoming FDCPA not only supports those guidelines but offers additional support. The Wyoming FDCPA supports the time limits and frequency placed on the phone collecting process. The state law does not offer additional details for debt collection agencies in the state, but instead, only reinforces the existing federal legislation.
The only additional requirement offered with the state law is that debt collectors are required to register with the state and meet the state licensing requirements. If a Wyoming resident falls victim to unscrupulous collection tactics, the FDCPA offers adequate protection. According to the FDCPA, debt collectors have a specified timeframe to respond to requests for debt verification and if a consumer disputes the validity of a debt, the collection agency has to follow set procedures to prove that debt.
Contact a Wyoming FDCPA Attorney
If you have been harassed by a debt collector or if a debt collector has failed to show you adequate proof by verifying your debt per FDCPA guidelines, you might be able to seek up to $1,000 in damages for the violation of the FDCPA. To stop the harassing tactics and to help you get your issues resolved, you should consult with a Wyoming FDCPA attorney right away.
With the help of a debt collection attorney, you can get the calls stopped and get peace of mind. Your attorney will know if your case warrants legal action against the debt collector in question. Call and schedule your case consultation with an FDCPA attorney today.