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 Pennsylvania (PA), debt collection is regulated by both state statutes and federal law. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that sets the standard for how debt collectors can operate, prohibiting deceptive, abusive, or unfair practices. Under the FDCPA, collectors are not allowed to use harassment, make false statements, or engage in unfair practices when they try to collect a debt. Pennsylvania also has its own set of laws that may provide additional protections to consumers. For example, the Pennsylvania Fair Credit Extension Uniformity Act mirrors the FDCPA and applies similar restrictions to creditors collecting their own debts. Debts commonly subject to collection efforts include credit card debt, auto loans, medical bills, student loans, utility bills, and personal loans. If a debt is sold to a third party, the new entity becomes the creditor and must adhere to the same collection laws. Consumers in Pennsylvania have the right to request verification of the debt and may dispute any inaccuracies. It's important for consumers to know their rights and, if necessary, seek guidance from an attorney to navigate issues related to debt collection.