Washington, D.C. has enacted a district debt collection law which closely tracks and parallels the nationwide FDCPA. Like the FDCPA, the D.C. law prohibits harassing communications, disclosure of the alleged debt to third parties, threats of violence or harm, obscene or profane language, and misleading or deceptive tactics.
In addition to the damages and other relief available under the FDCPA, a D.C. resident subjected to improper debt collection practices can also obtain relief under the local law. D.C. victims can bring a lawsuit under district law and, depending upon the portion of the law which was violated, obtain their actual damages, punitive or special damages, three times actual damages, and/or attorneys’ fees and costs.
If you believe that a collector has behaved inappropriately while attempting to collect a debt from you in the District of Columbia, our attorneys can help you to determine whether the FDCPA or D.C. law provides you with a legal remedy.
To learn more about the FDPCA, go to Federal Debt Collection Practices Act.
District of Columbia Code Sections 22-3401 to 22-3403, 28-3814 to 28-3816, and 28-3901 to 28-3909.
