A Practice Note explaining key issues that counsel should consider when litigating private consumer lawsuits under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). This Note addresses the scope of the FDCPA, the entities and individuals covered by the FDCPA, preemption of state law claims, available damages and remedies, the provisions that most often form the basis for consumer claims, common defenses, special issues in FDCPA class actions, and best practices for minimizing FDCPA liability.