Debt collector
Debt collector: Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, a person whose principal purpose is collecting debts, or who regularly collects debts owed to someone else (15 U.S.C. § 1692a(6)). Whether a company that buys debts and collects them for itself is covered can depend on how it operates.
What debt collector means
In practice, you will see debt collector in pleadings, motions, orders and court rules. The definition above explains the general meaning. Even so, the meaning can shift with context. Therefore, always read it alongside the rule or document where it appears.
Where debt collector comes up
The term is used across many kinds of cases. For example, you may see it in pleadings, motions and court orders. To see it in context, browse the motions and procedures library or the Learn the Law topics.
Read the source: Debt buyer.
How to research the term
Start with the primary source. For example, if debt collector appears in a federal rule, read the rule itself and its official notes. After that, check your court’s local rules and any standing orders from the judge. In addition, search recent decisions from your own state or federal district. They show how courts read debt collector in practice. Because state rules often differ, our state procedures guide links to each state’s official rules. Above all, make sure the version you read is still in force.
You can read the current federal court rules online for free.
Related legal terms
- De jure: latin for "by law." Describes something that exists by right or by lawful authority, such as a lawfully elected official or a legally established government, as opposed to one that exists only in fact (de facto).
- De novo: latin for "anew." Under de novo review, an appellate court decides a question fresh, without deferring to the lower court's answer. Questions of law are usually reviewed de novo.
- Debt: money or another obligation one party owes another.
- Debt buyer: a company that purchases debts, often charged-off consumer debts, from the original creditor or another owner.
Why precise terms matter
Legal words often look like everyday words, but they can carry a precise meaning. Because of that, a small misreading can change how you understand a deadline, a duty or a right. Our glossary keeps each definition short and links it to the procedures where it matters.
Sources
Sources last reviewed: 2026-10-24
Lawtopolis provides legal information and education, not legal advice. Using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and court rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time; verify every authority against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction about your situation.