The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act was enacted by the Federal Trade Commission.  The purpose was obvious ,  to provide creditors, and consumers with a standard.  These laws must be followed.  If the creditor " collection agency"  is harassing you in an unscrupulous manner, more than likely they are violating these laws.
Most Collection Agencies inform their employees of these laws.  Most do follow them.  Unfortunately some just see them merely as guidelines, and some completely disregard them at all.  Well that makes the firm from which they are working from liable.  This could open the door to lawsuits against the collection agency, and sometimes sanctions from state governments, which could jeopardize their license to collect in your state.


http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf



Here are some of the following stunts, and tricks pulled by some collection agents that decided to ignore the FDCPA.  
1. Making the phone ring all day with the intent to annoy
2. Threaten to take action that they cannot legally take (ie; prosecution for unpaid credit card)
3. Threaten to distribute your personal information
4. Contact family and co-workers, as well as your employer.
5. Make physical threats against you.
6. Refusing to give proof of the debt in writing
7. Misrepresenting the amount owed.
8. Try to collect on a debt that is too old.

There are several other types of occurrences, this just to name a few.  You should read the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.  All rules and regulations that collectors must follow is in the FDCPA.

Here is a link to the Fair Debt Collection Act.


    http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf



You will need a Adobe Reader.  If do not have Adobe Reader,  Down Load it for Free because you will

need it to access most government websites.