What type of practices does the FDCPA prohibit in debt collection?

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is designed to eliminate abusive practices in debt collection and to ensure that debt collectors treat consumers fairly. One of the key provisions of the FDCPA is the prohibition against collecting amounts that are not agreed to in the debt contract. This means that debt collectors cannot demand payment for fees, charges, or amounts that were not included in the original agreement.

For example, if a consumer takes out a loan for $1,000, and the terms specify that they are required to repay that exact amount plus interest, a debt collector cannot legally try to collect more than that amount unless explicitly agreed upon in the contract. This protection is crucial for consumers as it prevents debt collectors from imposing arbitrary or unjust charges, thus preserving the integrity of the original agreement and protecting consumers from exploitation.

Other options involve practices that may be legitimate depending on context, such as collecting amounts agreed upon in the debt contract or communicating late payments to credit bureaus, as these actions are typically under the purview of fair and responsible lending practices.