State Fair Debt Collection Laws
The federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act governs collection agencies and bill collectors in all 50 states. The FDCPA prohibits debt collectors from engaging in abusive, unfair, and deceptive collection tactics.
Many states have their own fair debt collection laws as well. Some of these laws mirror the FDCPA. However, some offer more protection to consumers by, for example, covering creditors as well as collectors, specifying more types of behavior that violate state law, or providing for additional types of damages. Below you can learn about the fair debt collection laws in various states.
The California Fair Debt Collection Practices Act prohibits debt collectors and creditors from using unfair, deceptive, or harassing behaviors.
Colorado prohibits debt collectors and creditors from using abusive and unconscionable tactics while collecting debts.
The Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act prohibits both debt collectors and creditors from using deceptive and abusive tactics in collecting debts.
The Georgia Industrial Loan Act regulates debt collection of consumer loans less than $3,000.
The Illinois Collection Agency Act requires debt collectors to obtain a license and regulates how they communicate with debtors.
Federal law and New York’s Consumer Credit Fairness Act protect consumers from abusive debt collection lawsuits.
The Washington Collection Agencies Law requires that debt collectors be licensed and bonded and prohibits certain types of activities.
The Rosenthal Act is California's fair debt collection practices law.
Empower Yourself: DIY Products by Nolo
Sidestep the lawyers with do-it-yourself books, documents, and software.
Online Form
Demand Collection Agency Cease Contact
Nolo offers hundreds of consumer-friendly, do-it-yourself legal products for all types of legal situations. Browse our full product list.
More Legal Issues
Click below to view more legal issues. Our extensive collection of legal topics ranges across different areas of practice.
Corporations Car Accidents Criminal Law Debt Management Disability Law Divorce & Family Law
Learn About Our Team
Our editors have over 100 years of combined experience practicing law. These professionals have worked in a wide range of legal areas, from estate planning to criminal law to business formation and beyond. They’re experts at explaining complicated legal issues in easy-to-understand terms.
Learn more about the team that manages Nolo’s articles, books, and DIY tools.
Need a Lawyer? We Can Help
Find an experienced, local attorney in three easy steps. Our process is designed for ease and simplicity.
Describe Your Case
Briefly tell us about your case, and provide your contact information.
Get Connected
We find and instantly list attorneys that can best handle your case.
Hire an Attorney
Choose the attorneys you would like to work with.
Nolo Legal Dictionary
At Nolo, we prioritize quality and transparency because we know how important reliable legal information is to our readers. Our information is meticulously researched, regularly updated, and written in plain English by our experienced writers and editors. Learn more about our editorial standards.
Are You an Attorney?
Grow your firm with Martindale-Nolo, the largest legal network, and learn more about our attorney lead-generation and marketing services.
Integrity and Expertise You Can Rely On
At Nolo, we prioritize quality and transparency because we know how important reliable legal information is to our readers. Our information is meticulously researched, regularly updated, and written in plain English by our experienced writers and editors. Learn more about our editorial standards.
Copyright ©2025 MH Sub I, LLC dba Nolo ® Self-help services may not be permitted in all states. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site. The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. In some states, the information on this website may be considered a lawyer referral service. Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and Consumer Health Data Notice.
Your Privacy Choices