The easiest way, perhaps, to figure out whether a debt collector has run afoul of the FDCPA is to think about the Act broadly. Without getting into specifics, the FDPCA prohibits debt collectors from doing anything that is (1) unfair; (2) untrue; or (3) harassing or abusive. Obviously, the Act lists a number of specific debt collection tactics that fall into these three categories. But the FDCPA also makes it very clear that any debt collection conduct--whether specifically listed in the Act or not--that is unfair, untrue, or harassing and abusive is a FDCPA violation.

So rather than poring over the text of the FDCPA or reading dozens of articles on the internet, just ask yourself this question: did the collector do something that was unfair; untrue; or harassing or abusive? If your answer to this simple question is yes, there's a good chance that the debt collector violated the FDCPA and your next move should be to contact a consumer rights lawyer.