Debt Collectors
Fair Credit Extension Uniformity Act — collectors and the creditors themselves
In Pennsylvania, a debt collector that violates the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act commits an unfair or deceptive debt collection practice under state law too. The state act also puts rules of its own on a creditor collecting its own debt. Without the consumer's prior consent or a court's permission, those include the following.
- No contact at an unusual or inconvenient time or place; without knowing otherwise, the convenient time is after 8 a.m. and before 9 p.m. where the consumer is.
- No contact with the consumer once the creditor knows a lawyer represents them on the debt, unless the lawyer does not respond in a reasonable time or consents.
- No contact at work if the creditor knows the employer prohibits it.
- No communicating about the debt with anyone other than the consumer, the consumer's lawyer and the few others the act lists.
Threats of arrest, and false claims about the debt, are violations. A creditor may not say or imply that not paying will lead to arrest or imprisonment, or to seizure of property unless that action is lawful and intended, and may not misrepresent the amount or legal status of the debt, pose as a lawyer, send papers made to look like they come from a court, or use obscene language or repeated calls to harass.
A consumer, under the act, is a natural person residing in Pennsylvania who owes or is said to owe the debt. A debt is a past due obligation for personal, family or household purposes; a purchase money mortgage on real estate is not one.
Sources for this section (2)
- Fair Credit Ext. Act 4 — Unfair or deceptive acts or practices
- Fair Credit Ext. Act 3 — Definitions
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Pennsylvania attorney.