Debt collection is the process by which a person or entity who is owed money or property seeks payment for the debt. Debt collection may be performed by the person or entity who is owed the debt (the creditor), or may be performed by a third-party debt collector hired by the creditor to collect the debt on behalf of the creditor. Sometimes creditors sell the debt to another entity at a discounted value, and the entity that purchases the debt becomes the creditor.

Debts that are often the subject of debt collection efforts include (1) credit card debt; (2) car or auto loan debt; (3) medical debt; (4) student loan debt; (5) unpaid utility and telephone bills; and (6) personal loan debt.

If you owe money, you have a legal obligation to repay it. But state and federal laws—such as the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act—prohibit debt collectors from using deceptive or abusive behavior to collect the debt.

In Georgia, debt collection is regulated by both state statutes and federal law. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that sets national standards for the collection of debts, prohibiting deceptive, abusive, or unfair debt collection practices. It applies to third-party debt collectors who are collecting on behalf of another creditor and to entities that buy debts and then try to collect them. This law ensures that debt collectors do not use harassing or threatening tactics and that they respect the rights of consumers. Georgia's state laws also provide additional protections and may impose specific regulations on how debt can be collected within the state. Common types of debts that are collected include credit card debt, auto loans, medical bills, student loans, utility bills, and personal loans. While consumers are legally obligated to repay their debts, they are also entitled to protection from certain aggressive collection practices. It's important for consumers to know their rights under both federal and state laws when dealing with debt collectors.