How much can a company be fined for violating FTC laws?

Question

Such as bill collectors violating privacy laws, calling after 9pm and before 8am, not adhearing to cease and desist letters of no future calls?

Answer 1

That would be a violation of the "Fair Debt Collection Practices Act".

I've linked to the law below. The law allows for you to collect from them your "actual damages", or additional damages up to $1,000 if a court so orders.

Note that not all debt collection practices are covered by the act. Most importantly, it only covers third party collectors. If the original creditor is the one trying to collect, they're not covered by the act.

Additionally, a lot of the most aggressive collectors are overseas, and not subject to American law.

Richard