Which of the following is prohibited for debt collectors under the FDCPA?

The prohibition against using deceptive practices to collect debts is a fundamental aspect of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). This law was established to protect consumers from unfair, abusive, or misleading debt collection practices. Under the FDCPA, debt collectors are specifically prohibited from engaging in any type of deceptive conduct. This includes misleading a debtor about the amount they owe, falsely claiming to be attorneys or government representatives, or misrepresenting the legal status of a debt. The intention behind this prohibition is to ensure that consumers are treated fairly and to prevent harassment and manipulation in the debt collection process.

The other options, while they might present scenarios related to consumer debt interactions, do not inherently violate the FDCPA. For instance, debt collectors are allowed to call during business hours, offer payment plans, and communicate via email, provided they follow appropriate guidelines and respect the consumer's rights.