How much can I sue for under the FDCPA?
The FDCPA (15 U.S.C. 1692k) allows statutory damages of up to $1,000 per lawsuit, plus any actual damages you can prove (emotional distress, lost wages, out-of-pocket costs), plus reasonable attorney fees and court costs. The $1,000 cap is per lawsuit, not per violation, so multiple violations do not multiply the statutory amount.
Does the number of violations increase my FDCPA damages?
Not the statutory portion. The $1,000 statutory cap applies to the entire lawsuit regardless of how many violations occurred. However, a pattern of many violations helps you reach the full $1,000 and strengthens an actual-damages claim for emotional distress. Each distinct debt or collector can be a separate lawsuit.
Do I have to pay a lawyer to sue a debt collector?
Usually not up front. The FDCPA is a fee-shifting statute: if you win, the collector pays your reasonable attorney fees and costs. Most consumer-protection attorneys take FDCPA cases on contingency or with fees paid by the defendant, so you can pursue a claim at little or no out-of-pocket cost.
What debt collector conduct violates the FDCPA?
Common violations include: calling before 8am or after 9pm, calling you at work after being told to stop, contacting you after you requested written communication only, threatening arrest or lawsuits they cannot pursue, using profane language, disclosing your debt to third parties, and misrepresenting the amount owed. Keep a log with dates, times, and what was said.