When a debt is being collected, certain practices are considered unfair according to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. For example, collectors are not allowed to collect any amount larger than your debt, unless your state law allows this type of additional charge. A post-dated check may not be deposited before its date. Collectors may not use deceptive tactics to make you accept collect calls or pay for telegrams, nor may they write you by postcard, as this violates your privacy. In addition, it's considered unfair to seize property or threaten to do so unless such seizure is allowed by law and is intended to be carried out by the creditor or collection agency. A collector is permitted to contact other people to determine your home or work address, but is typically prevented from mentioning that you owe money to these people. Generally, such people may be contacted only one time each in an attempt to uncover this information. If you have an attorney, collectors are supposed to deal only with your legal representative and may not contact third parties regarding your whereabouts.
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