Here’s a concise, practical overview of U.S. debt‑collection laws and consumer protections, who they cover, common collector practices that are illegal, time limits and remedies, and steps you can take if you’re contacted by a collector.

1. Main federal laws and agencies

• Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA): Primary federal law that limits what third‑party debt collectors (generally companies whose principal purpose is collecting debts owed to others) may do — e.g., prohibits harassment, deceptive statements, calling at odd hours, and requires a written validation notice. Consumers can sue for violations and recover statutory and actual damages in many cases. (ftc.gov)
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Debt Collection Rule (Regulation F): Implements and clarifies FDCPA requirements (what must be in validation notices, communications rules, limits on time‑barred debt collection, recordkeeping, etc.). The Rule gives specific notice and format requirements. (consumerfinance.gov)
• Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): Regulates credit reporting; collectors who report debts to credit bureaus must follow FCRA duties when a consumer disputes information. (Negative reporting can affect credit scores.) (consumer.ftc.gov)
• Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and FCC rules: Restrict certain automated calls/texts (robocalls, prerecorded messages, autodialed calls) and require consent rules for some communications; recent court and agency developments have affected how courts treat FCC interpretations. If collectors use robo‑calls or texts without required consent, they may violate the TCPA. (reuters.com)
• Enforcement and complaint channels: CFPB, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), state attorneys general, and state consumer protection agencies enforce rules and accept complaints. (consumer.ftc.gov)

2. Who is covered

• FDCPA covers most third‑party debt collectors trying to collect consumer (personal, family, household) debts. It generally does NOT cover original creditors collecting their own accounts, though many states have laws that also limit original creditors. Debt buyers (firms that buy charged‑off debt) are usually treated as debt collectors under the FDCPA. (congress.gov)

3. Core consumer protections (what collectors may NOT do)

• No harassment, threats, or obscene language. No threats of arrest or other actions they cannot lawfully take. (congress.gov)
• Limited hours for phone contact (generally 8 a.m.–9 p.m. local time) and no repeated/continuous calls intended to annoy. (en.wikipedia.org)
• No false, deceptive, or misleading statements (e.g., misrepresenting the amount, implying they are attorneys or government). (congress.gov)
• Must provide written validation information early in collection (amount, original creditor, how to dispute within 30 days, etc.); CFPB’s Rule expands and clarifies the specific validation content. If you dispute timely, collector must verify the debt. (consumerfinance.gov)
• Limits on contacting third parties: generally they may only contact third parties for location information and must not reveal the debt. (congress.gov)
• Special rules for time‑barred debts: collectors may sometimes try to collect on debts past the statute of limitations, but may not use threats or misrepresentations; CFPB/Reg F sets rules for communications about time‑barred debts. (If you make a payment or acknowledge the debt in writing, you can restart the statute in some states — be careful.) (consumerfinance.gov)

4. Statute of limitations and credit reporting

• Statute of limitations (when a creditor can sue) varies by state and by type of debt (credit card, written contract, oral debt). It’s a state law issue — common ranges are 3–6 years but many states differ. Even if a debt is time‑barred (cannot be sued), the debt may still be reported to credit bureaus for a limited period (commonly 7 years from date of delinquency) unless other rules apply. Always check the statute for your state and the type of debt. (consumer.ftc.gov)

5. Remedies and what you can do

• Request debt validation in writing within 30 days of the collector’s first written notice to force verification. Under the FDCPA/Reg F, collectors must provide required validation information. Keep records of dates and content. (consumerfinance.gov)
• Send a “cease communication” letter if you want them to stop contacting you (except they can still notify you of specific actions like filing suit). A clear written request creates legal obligations under FDCPA. (congress.gov)
• If a collector violates the FDCPA (abusive calls, false statements, failing to provide validation, etc.), you can: (a) file a complaint with CFPB, FTC, and your state attorney general; and (b) sue the collector in federal or state court for statutory and actual damages and attorney’s fees in many cases. Keep all evidence (call logs, recordings if legal in your state, letters, screenshots). (consumer.ftc.gov)
• If sued by a collector, respond to the lawsuit (don’t ignore it) — you may lose by default if you fail to answer. The FTC/CFPB and many consumer‑law attorneys recommend timely legal response. (consumer.ftc.gov)

6. Special situations

• Bankruptcy: Filing Chapter 7 or 13 triggers an automatic stay — collection actions must stop. Debts discharged in bankruptcy generally cannot be lawfully collected. Consult a bankruptcy attorney. (consumer.ftc.gov)
• Military protections: Servicemembers have specific protections under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and some special consumer resources. (consumer.ftc.gov)
• Identity theft/fraud: If the debt is fraudulent, place alerts and dispute with both the collector and credit bureaus; you may use an identity‑theft report to stop collection and correct records. (consumer.ftc.gov)

7. Practical steps to protect yourself (concise checklist)

• Ask for validation in writing (within 30 days) and keep a copy. Do not admit liability or make payments until you’re sure. (consumerfinance.gov)
• If calls/texts are abusive or autodialed without consent, note dates/times and consider a TCPA/FCC complaint and/or attorney (automated calls/texts can trigger TCPA claims). (reuters.com)
• Send a written cease‑and‑desist if you want contact to stop (keep proof of delivery). (congress.gov)
• Check your credit reports (AnnualCreditReport.com) and dispute incorrect items with the bureaus. (consumer.ftc.gov)
• File complaints to CFPB, FTC, and your state attorney general if you believe a collector violated the law. (consumer.ftc.gov)
• If you’re sued, respond to the court summons promptly and consider consulting a consumer defense attorney.

8. When to get legal help

• Consider an attorney if a collector sues you, threatens garnishment, or you suspect large statutory/TCPA/FCRA violations (possible statutory damages and attorney’s fees can make litigation viable). Many consumer‑law firms handle FDCPA and TCPA claims on contingency or for flat fees.

9. Where to read the primary sources and file complaints (official links)

• CFPB — debt collection rule and complaints. (consumerfinance.gov)
• FTC — FDCPA overview and consumer advice. (ftc.gov)
• For TCPA/FCC developments, check FCC and recent court decisions (TCPA law has been changing through 2024–2025). (reuters.com)

If you want, I can:

• Draft a sample validation letter or a cease‑and‑desist letter you can send (tailored to your situation); or
• Look up the statute of limitations that applies to your particular state and type of debt (I’ll need the state and debt type).