Frequently Asked Questions & Answers - File a Complaint

File a Complaint

If you’ve been the victim of illegal fair debt or fair credit practices, you should file a complaint with the Florida 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 file an online complaint with the Florida Attorney General’s office by clicking here.

Here’s the contact information to call or send a written complaint to the Florida Attorney General’s office:

Office of the Attorney General
PL-01 The Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050
850-414-3990 or 866-966-7226

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.

Florida Fair Debt Collection Law

Florida Statutes Sections 559.55 to 559.785 deal with debt collection agencies and creditors. The law in many ways mirrors the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, in that it says that:

  • A debt collector can’t pretend that he’s a police officer or a governmental agent
  • A debt collector can’t use or threaten force or violence
  • A debt collector can’t, if you’re disputing a debt, tell you that he’ll tell other people and hurt your reputation
  • A debt collection agency can’t contact your employer unless you give written permission or unless you verify that the debt is yours to pay
  • A debt collector can’t share information with third parties that would hurt your reputation, unless there’s a legitimate business need to do so
  • When you have disputed a debt, a debt collection agency must disclose that; within 30 days, a debt collector has to notify anyone who’s received notice of the debt in the previous 90 days
  • A debt collector can’t call you or your family to the point of harassment
  • Debt collectors can’t use obscene or profane language with you or your family
  • A debt collector can’t try to collect a debt that he knows isn’t valid
  • A debt collection agency can’t send documents that appear to be legal documents when they’re not
  • A debt collector can’t pretend to be an attorney if he is not a lawyer
  • A debt collection agency can’t coerce you into paying by threatening to sell and advertise your debt to someone else
  • A debt collection agency can’t publish or post your name
  • A debt collector can’t refuse to identify himself
  • Debt collectors can’t contact you via postcard or use envelopes that indicate the correspondence is from a collection agency
  • A debt collection agency can only call between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., unless you request to be contacted at other times
  • A debt collector can’t contact you if you’ve notified the debt collection agency that you’re being represented by an attorney
  • A debt collector can’t trick you into paying for a collect call or telegram

Florida law allows individual consumers to sue debt collection agencies. A successful lawsuit filed in the state can result in an award of actual damages or $1,000, whichever is great, along with attorney fees. A judge can also award punitive damages. 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 Florida 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 Florida 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 file an online complaint with the Florida Attorney General’s office by clicking here.

Here’s the contact information to call or send a written complaint to the Florida Attorney General’s office:

Office of the Attorney General
PL-01 The Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050
850-414-3990 or 866-966-7226

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.