It is key that collections agents respect your privacy. According to the Fair Debt Collection Practice Act, bill collectors cannot exchange information about people that are in debt. They can't send out a list of debtors to its creditor subscribers. They cannot advertise debt for sale, or make a list of debtors to its creditor subscribers.

They can't advertise a debt for sale, or make up a list of debtors for sale to others. They can't leave messages with third parties asking the person in debt to call them. The outside of envelopes sent by collections agents can't indicate the purpose of the letter in any way. Postcards are strictly prohibited.

A collector is allowed to send mail in care of another person only if you reside at that address or if you receive your mail at that address. If you share your address with others the mail should be labeled private, or "personal." Basically. the letter can't give any appearance alluding to the fact that it is a collections bill.

A debt collector that knows your name and phone number and thus can contact you yourself is not permitted to contact your neighbors or family members. If they cannot locate you and they do call your family members or neighbors, the collector must identify themselves by name but not tell the third party that they are a debt collector.

They cannot let others know you owe a debt or speak to them about account details. They can't contact the person more than once, can't leave information about money owed on a third party's voicemail and they have to tell the name of the collection agency but only if asked.

If you are being contacted by a collector seeking your old roommate, relative or neighbor, the Fair Debt Collection Practice Act states a debt collector can only get in touch with you to determine the location of the person who owes the money. Only if the collector believes you have new information can they contact you again. If a collector contacts you repeatedly about a third party that can be considered harassment and you can file a complaint.