---
kind: "section"
citation: "15 U.S.C. § 1692f"
title: "15"
title_heading: "Commerce and Trade"
number: "1692f"
heading: "Unfair practices"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/15/1692f"
units:
  - "Chapter 41 — Consumer Credit Protection"
  - "Subchapter V — Debt Collection Practices"
---

# §1692f. Unfair practices


A [debt collector](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6) may not use unfair or unconscionable means to collect or attempt to collect any [debt](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=5). 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](/usc/15/7a.md?p=2) creating the [debt](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=5) or permitted by law.
- (2) The acceptance by a [debt collector](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6) from any [person](/usc/15/1602.md?p=e) of a check or other payment instrument postdated by more than five days unless such [person](/usc/15/1602.md?p=e) is notified in writing of the [debt collector](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6)’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](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6) 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](/usc/15/1602.md?p=e) for [communications](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=2) by concealment of the true purpose of the [communication](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=2). 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](/usc/15/1667.md?p=5);
  - (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](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) regarding a [debt](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=5) by post card.
- (8) Using any language or symbol, other than the [debt collector](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6)’s address, on any envelope when communicating with a [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) by use of the mails or by telegram, except that a [debt collector](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=6) may use his business name if such name does not indicate that he is in the [debt](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=5) collection business.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 90–321, title VIII, § 808, as added Pub. L. 95–109, Sept. 20, 1977, 91 Stat. 879.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective upon the expiration of six months after Sept. 20, 1977, see section 819 of Pub. L. 90–321, as added by Pub. L. 95–109, set out as a note under section 1692 of this title.