Arizona Fair Debt Collection Law
The Arizona Revised Statutes Sections 32-1001 to 32-1057 deal with debt collection. The law requires debt collectors to be licensed and bonded, and loosely follows the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act in that it says that:
- Debt collectors can’t tack on additional collection fees to debts
- A debt collection agency can’t engage in unfair or misleading practices
- Debt collectors can’t threaten consumers
- A debt collection agency can’t send consumers fake legal documents
- Debt collectors can’t misrepresent the nature or amount of the debt
- A debt collection agency can’t say or suggest that other fees or charges that are prohibited by law will be added to the debt
- Debt collectors can’t threaten to sell the debt to someone else
- A debt collector can’t pretend to be an attorney if he’s not
- Debt collectors can’t send written material that indicates it’s from a law firm or legal department, or from the state of Arizona
However, Arizona law does not allow individual consumers to sue debt collection agencies; when a debt collection agency violates Arizona fair debt collection law, it can get its license revoked, but that’s it. So, if you’ve been harassed by a debt collection agency in Arizona, your only real protection is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
With the help of a fair debt attorney, you can often reach a settlement with a debt collection agency that either puts money in your pocket or erases part or all of that debt. Complete the form to the right, and the legal team at StopCollector.com will provide you with a free case evaluation. If the debt collector has violated the FDCPA, we’ll take your case absolutely free.
File a Complaint
If you’ve been the victim of illegal fair debt or fair credit practices, you should file a complaint with the Arizona Attorney General. Often, attorneys general use consumer complaints as the basis for filing lawsuits against debt collection agencies. Filing a complaint is a way of making your voice heard, and of helping to put a stop to unethical debt collection practices.
You can file an online complaint with the Arizona Attorney General’s office by clicking here.
Here’s the contact information to call or send a written complaint to the Attorney General’s office:
Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Information and Complaints
1275 W. Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2926
602-542-5763 or 1-800-352-8431
Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Information and Complaints
400 W. Congress, South Building, Suite 315
Tucson, AZ 85701-1367
520-628-6504
You should also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC is responsible for enforcing the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. It looks at patterns of consumer complaints and holds shady debt collection agencies accountable by suing them and fining them. It’s also required to provide Congress with an annual report about debt collection and credit reporting practices that includes the number of consumer complaints filed. You can file a complaint with the FTC by clicking here.
