US Medical Term · regulatory
FDCPA
FDCPA (Ley de Prácticas Justas de Cobro de Deudas)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | FDCPA |
| Spanish (Español) | FDCPA (Ley de Prácticas Justas de Cobro de Deudas) |
| Chinese (中文) | FDCPA（公平债务催收法） |
| Korean (한국어) | FDCPA (공정 채권추심법) |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | FDCPA (Đạo luật Thu nợ Công bằng) |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | FDCPA (Batas sa Makatarungang Pagkolekta ng Utang) |
| Portuguese (Português) | FDCPA (Lei de Práticas Justas de Cobrança de Dívidas) |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | FDCPA (กฎหมายการเก็บหนี้อย่างเป็นธรรม) |
| Japanese (日本語) | FDCPA（公正債権回収慣行法） |
What it means
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that restricts what third-party debt collectors can say and do when pursuing debts, including medical bills. Collectors cannot call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., use abusive language, make false statements about the debt, or report inaccurate information to credit bureaus. Within 30 days of first contact, you can send a written debt validation letter demanding proof that the debt is valid and that the collector has the legal right to collect it. You can also send a cease-communication letter to stop further contact. Collectors who violate the FDCPA may be sued for up to $1,000 in statutory damages plus attorney fees. Note that original creditors—such as the hospital itself—are generally not covered by the FDCPA.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
Under the FDCPA, a debt collector cannot call you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
Según la FDCPA, un cobrador de deudas no puede llamarle antes de las 8 a.m. ni después de las 9 p.m.
Send a written debt validation letter to the collection agency within 30 days of first contact to exercise your FDCPA rights.
Envíe una carta de validación de deuda a la agencia de cobros dentro de los 30 días posteriores al primer contacto para ejercer sus derechos bajo la FDCPA.
If a collector violated the FDCPA, you can sue them in federal or state court for up to $1,000 in damages.
Si un cobrador violó la FDCPA, puede demandarlo en un tribunal federal o estatal por daños de hasta $1,000.
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026