Your FDCPA rights
False Statements: What Debt Collectors Cannot Say
The FDCPA bans debt collectors from making false, deceptive, or misleading statements. Learn what is prohibited and what to do if it happens.
Federal Law Protects You
FDCPA Section 807 prohibits any false, deceptive, or misleading representations in connection with collecting a debt. This is one of the most frequently violated provisions.
What do people ask about false statements: what debt collectors cannot say?
What false statements are collectors prohibited from making?
Collectors cannot: misrepresent the debt amount; falsely claim to be an attorney or government official; threaten arrest (civil debt cannot result in arrest); claim you will be sued when they have no intent to sue; misrepresent documents as official court documents; or use deceptive names to imply government involvement.
Can a debt collector threaten to sue me?
Only if they actually intend to and are legally able to file suit. Threatening a lawsuit they have no intention of filing, or that is barred by the statute of limitations without disclosure, violates the FDCPA. Empty legal threats are among the most common violations.
Can collectors say I will be arrested for not paying?
No. You cannot be arrested for failing to pay a civil debt. Collectors who threaten arrest are violating the FDCPA and potentially committing fraud. Report these threats to the CFPB and FTC immediately.
What if a collector pretends to be from a law firm?
Collectors cannot misrepresent themselves as attorneys unless they actually are licensed attorneys meaningfully involved in the collection. Using a law firm name to intimidate when no attorney is actually involved is a clear FDCPA violation.
Related Resources
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by state. Consult a licensed attorney for guidance specific to your situation.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Every figure on PlainCollector is rendered directly from federal source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on federal source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.
| Publisher | PlainCollector |
| Sources | the CFPB Consumer Complaint Database |