15 U.S.C. § 1692f : US Code - Section 1692F: Unfair practices

Search 15 U.S.C. § 1692f : US Code - Section 1692F: Unfair practices

A debt collector may not use unfair or unconscionable means to
collect or attempt to collect any debt. Without limiting the
general application of the foregoing, the following conduct is a
violation of this section:
(1) The collection of any amount (including any interest, fee,
charge, or expense incidental to the principal obligation) unless
such amount is expressly authorized by the agreement creating the
debt or permitted by law.
(2) The acceptance by a debt collector from any person of a
check or other payment instrument postdated by more than five
days unless such person is notified in writing of the debt
collector's intent to deposit such check or instrument not more
than ten nor less than three business days prior to such deposit.
(3) The solicitation by a debt collector of any postdated check
or other postdated payment instrument for the purpose of
threatening or instituting criminal prosecution.
(4) Depositing or threatening to deposit any postdated check or
other postdated payment instrument prior to the date on such
check or instrument.
(5) Causing charges to be made to any person for communications
by concealment of the true purpose of the communication. Such
charges include, but are not limited to, collect telephone calls
and telegram fees.
(6) Taking or threatening to take any nonjudicial action to
effect dispossession or disablement of property if -
(A) there is no present right to possession of the property
claimed as collateral through an enforceable security interest;
(B) there is no present intention to take possession of the
property; or
(C) the property is exempt by law from such dispossession or
disablement.
(7) Communicating with a consumer regarding a debt by post
card.
(8) Using any language or symbol, other than the debt
collector's address, on any envelope when communicating with a
consumer by use of the mails or by telegram, except that a debt
collector may use his business name if such name does not
indicate that he is in the debt collection business.