Washington Fair Debt Collection Law
Washington Revised Code Sections 19.16.100 to 19.16.950 deal with debt collection agencies. The prohibited practices in many ways mirror the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. For example, the law says that:
- A debt collection agency can't publish or post your name on a “bad debt list”
- A debt collector can't impersonate or lead you to believe he is a law enforcement officer or a government official
- A debt collector can't pretend he's an attorney
- A debt collection agency can't advertise or threaten to advertise your debt for sale
- A debt collection agency must tell you its true name and address, the name of the original creditor, the amount owed, and any additional charges and fees
- A debt collection agency can't contact third parties about your debt, except to try and locate you
- A debt collector can't contact you directly once you have an attorney
- A debt collector can't harass you through calling more than three times per week, calling you at work more than once a week, calling you before 7:30 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m.
- A debt collection agency can't send you legal-looking documents when they're not legal documents, or documents that look as though they're from a governmental agency
- A debt collector can't trick you into paying for collect calls or telegrams
Washington law is essentially a licensing law, but the stat does allow individual consumers to sue debt collection agencies under the Unfair and Deceptive Acts and Practices law. This is in addition to being able to sue a debt collection agency for violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
With the help of a fair debt attorney, you can often reach a settlement with a debt collection agency that either puts money in your pocket or erases part or all of that debt. Complete the form to the right, and the legal team at StopCollector.com will provide you with a free case evaluation. If the debt collector has violated Washington state law and the FDCPA, we'll take your case absolutely free.
File a Complaint
If you've been the victim of illegal fair debt or fair credit practices, you should file a complaint with the Washington Attorney General. Often, attorneys general use consumer complaints as the basis for filing lawsuits against debt collection agencies. Filing a complaint is a way of making your voice heard, and of helping to put a stop to unethical debt collection practices.
You can download a complaint form or file an online complaint with the Washington Attorney General's office by clicking here.
Here's the contact information to call or send a written complaint to the Washington Attorney General:
Office of the Attorney General
P.O. Box 2317
Tacoma, WA 98401
206-464-6684 or 800-551-4636
You should also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC is responsible for enforcing the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. It looks at patterns of consumer complaints and holds shady debt collection agencies accountable by suing them and fining them. It’s also required to provide Congress with an annual report about debt collection and credit reporting practices that includes the number of consumer complaints filed. You can file a complaint with the FTC by clicking here.
