Minneapolis Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Lawyers

Protection for Consumers

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is a federal law that gives rights to consumers against debt collectors. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) strictly prohibits debt collectors from using abusive or coercive language when collecting a debt. They must properly identify themselves as debt collectors, and they may not make misstatements of law or fact.

If a debt collector violates the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the consumer may be entitled to financial compensation from the debt collection company.

Demand Financial Compensation From Abusive Debt Collectors

Martineau, Gonko & Vavreck (MGV) is one of only a few Twin Cities law firms that file Fair Debt Collection Practices Act cases on behalf of individual consumers. Furthermore, our fair debt practice clients pay no attorneys' fees unless the case is successful, and in many cases we are able to collect attorneys' fees from the debt collection company.

In addition to a financial settlement or jury award, there are several reasons to fight abusive debt collection. Other than the initial free consultation with an MGV attorney, the case will take very little of your time. Although the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act has nothing to do with the debt you owe, sometimes the FDCPA lawsuit gives the debtor some leverage to negotiate the terms of the debt owed.

Martineau, Gonko & Vavreck does more than just file individual FDCPA cases. We are active in Minneapolis and the greater Twin Cities, educating consumers and debt collectors about their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. We have successfully brought fair debt collection lawsuits in Minnesota that have increased the protections consumers have against abusive debt collection. Learn more about reasons to work with MGV on your Fair Debt Collection Practices Act case.

Basic Requirements of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

The FDCPA protects consumers with consumer debts against any kind of debt collector. The questions we ask to determine whether a client has a valid FDCPA claim include:

• Is it a consumer (not commercial/business) debt or agreement?
• Is the client a consumer (i.e., not a business)?
• Is the debt collector collecting the debt for someone else, that is, not for him or herself?

The answer to all three questions must be yes for the FDCPA to apply. Learn more about FDCPA definitions and how to decide if you may have an FDCPA claim.

Common violations of the FDCPA include:

• Debt collectors calling your workplace, friends or family if they have a personal number to reach you at
• Debt collectors misrepresenting the facts of your debts, exaggerating the actions that will be taken to collect the debts or threatening to sue you
• Debt collectors failing to identify themselves as debt collectors calling for the purpose of collecting debts

To discuss your case with a lawyer, call 612-659-9500 or fill out our contact form. Se habla español. Our law office is conveniently located in downtown Minneapolis, in the historic Warehouse District, one block off Washington Avenue and our lawyers represent clients throughout the Twin Cities metro, Greater Minnesota and Western Wisconsin.