How to Identify Fake and Abusive Debt Collectors

Genuine debt collectors follow the rules. Some don’t.

Even if you owe money, nobody can mistreat you. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) protects you from harassment. Unfortunately, many collectors bet on uninformed consumers who don’t know their rights.

Being Sued by a Debt Collector?

Don't let fake or abusive collectors win in court. Respond to your lawsuit with the right legal documents and protect your rights under the FDCPA.

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What if you don’t recognize the debt? You might be dealing with fraudsters. Fake debt collectors are a growing problem. They want to mislead you into paying money you don’t owe.

Whether collectors are abusive or fake, they cause unnecessary stress. You can ease that stress by learning to identify them.

Your response from the first call can help you spot FDCPA violations and recognize fraud.

Warning Signs During the Call

Unknown numbers deserve caution. Consider letting voicemail screen those calls. But if you answer:

Demand Full Identification

Anyone collecting a debt must identify themselves fully. Ask for their name, phone number, mailing address, and street address. You can also request their professional license number.

If the caller refuses this information, you’re likely speaking with a scammer. Asking questions keeps you in control and protects you from exploitation.

They Should Already Know Who You Are

Once they’ve identified themselves, they need to identify you. It’s not your job to share personal details. Real collectors already have the necessary information.

Red flags during identification alert you to potential fraud.

Watch Out for Threats

No debt collector can threaten you. Abusive collectors resort to scare tactics.

Common threats from fraudulent and unprofessional collectors include:

Threats of arrest or criminal charges
Demanding sensitive personal information
Refusing to identify the debt
Threatening lawsuits they can’t file
Claiming to be from the IRS

If the caller uses any of these tactics, hang up immediately. Don’t give them any information.

Notice Shaming Tactics

When collectors try to shame you, they’re overstepping. Some tactics include calling your workplace, calling friends or relatives, or threatening to list your debt publicly.

These practices violate the FDCPA.

Check the Time of Day

The time of day matters. According to law, debt collectors cannot call you outside of 8 am to 9 pm your time. They also can’t contact you excessively about the same debt.

Listen for Profanity or Disrespect

Some debt collectors wrongly think they can take their anger out on you. They can’t verbally abuse you, no matter how many calls they make daily.

Debt collectors must always speak professionally and respectfully. They can’t call you names or use derogatory language.

Recognize Pressure Tactics

Most fake debt collectors pressure you into making quick payments. They want to rush you before you can validate the debt. They hope you’ll pay more than you owe or pay debt that isn’t yours.

Watch for callers pressuring you to commit quickly, accept ownership, give personal information, or share financial details.

Fake debt collectors also pressure you to pay by prepaid cards or bank transfer. Our partner Solo can help you respond properly to these tactics.

Ask About Your Rights

Consider it a red flag if the caller doesn’t give you a Section 1692g notice. This notice informs you that you can dispute the debt within 30 days.

Question Unrecognized Debt

Are they calling about a debt you don’t recognize? If the caller refuses to give you more information, it could be fraud. Don’t rush into paying off unrecognized debt.

Do your research before making any payments. All debt collectors must send written notice within five days of contacting you. No letter in the mail? You may have fraudsters on your hands.

Steps to Take After the Call

If you suspect a scammer contacted you about fraudulent debt, take immediate action. Here’s how to verify the call is real.

Contact Your Original Creditor

Call your creditors immediately. Find out if they’ve sold any of your debts to third-party collectors. If so, ask for complete information: the debt collection company’s name, address, phone number, the original creditor, the amount, and new interest rates.

Review Your Credit Report

The best way to confirm debt ownership is requesting your credit report. You’ll find a record of your current and past debts and your repayment history. Also check for expired debts according to your state’s statute of limitations.

Request your credit report from all three nationwide bureaus. Call the Annual Credit Report Request Service at 1-877-322-8228 or submit a request to:

Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, Georgia 30348-5281

After getting the report, check carefully for any inaccuracies. Look for names of creditors, dates, debts in your name, and repayment records.

How to Protect Yourself From Collector Abuse

During the call, stay calm. Even when dealing with aggressive debt collectors, don’t lose your cool. Remember that legitimate debts may be reported to credit reporting agencies, which impacts your credit score negatively.

Never give your personal or financial information to callers. You can escape their requests by citing security reasons and stating you’ll call them back instead. You can also request that all future communication take place in writing.

Even if you think the debt is yours, refrain from admitting ownership. The caller can’t force you to own up. Offer to review your financial records and get back to them. If the debt is suspicious, you can dispute it within 30 days.

If you have debt collectors contacting you about a debt, always request debt validation. You can draft a Debt Validation Letter through proper documentation and send it to the collector.

Report Abusive and Fake Debt Collectors

You have the right to report collectors who violate the FDCPA. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and your state attorney general’s office.

Document everything: dates, times, names, and what was said. Keep records of all communications. These records can help you build a case against abusive collectors.

If a collector has filed a lawsuit against you, respond within the deadline. Our partner Solo helps you respond to debt collection lawsuits and protect your rights.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

The FDCPA gives you specific protections. Debt collectors cannot:

Call you before 8 am or after 9 pm
Contact you at work if you’ve asked them to stop
Harass you with repeated calls
Use obscene or profane language
Threaten violence or harm
Publish your debt information
Misrepresent the amount you owe
Falsely claim to be attorneys or government representatives

You have the right to request written verification of the debt. You have the right to dispute the debt within 30 days. You have the right to ask collectors to stop contacting you.

Know your rights. Use them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if a debt collector is fake?

Fake debt collectors refuse to provide their full name, address, and company information. They often threaten arrest, demand immediate payment by prepaid card, or pressure you to share personal information. Legitimate collectors must send written notice within five days of first contact.

What should I do if a debt collector threatens me?

Hang up immediately. Debt collectors cannot legally threaten you with arrest, violence, or criminal charges. Document the call with dates, times, and what was said. File a complaint with the FTC and your state attorney general's office.

Can debt collectors call me at work or contact my family?

Debt collectors cannot call you at work if you've told them your employer doesn't allow such calls. They cannot discuss your debt with family, friends, or coworkers except to locate you. Repeated contact with third parties violates the FDCPA.

How do I verify if a debt is really mine?

Request your free credit report from all three bureaus through the Annual Credit Report Request Service. Contact your original creditor directly to confirm if they sold the debt to a collection agency. Always request written debt validation before making any payments.

What are my rights when a debt collector contacts me?

You have the right to request written verification of the debt, dispute the debt within 30 days, and ask collectors to stop contacting you. Collectors cannot call before 8 am or after 9 pm, use profane language, or misrepresent the amount you owe.