The following are just some of the more important ideas that consumers should remember about collection agencies, and also what they can do to protect themselves:

1) Upon the first phone call, expect to receive a letter within five days supporting what the call is about it should contain the exact amount of debt owed, the name of the creditor, and what the consumer can do should they decide to have that debt validated.
2) If there is no validation letter, there is no debt.
3) If the collection call persists, write a cease and desist letter.
4) If there are other forms of harassment, like collectors just showing up at your doorstep or your workplace – call the sheriff.
5) If it goes further than that, report it to the state Attorney General’s office (www.naag.org) and the Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov).
6) If you think that there was a grave violation of your FDCPA rights, you can sue a collector in a state or federal court within one year of the violation.