In the bill collector’s defense, if you owe, you need to pay, and if you don’t pay, they have a right to call and ask you to pay. Unfortunately many bill collectors step out of bounds and employ illegal methods in order to get you to pay. That’s where you have help, in the form of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
Protect yourself from harassment and bill collectors. Learn more about creditor harassment information - and how the FDCPA protects you from debt harassment. Visit FairDebtHelpers.com for a free evaluation of your case by an experienced fair debt attorney.
The purpose of FDCPA is to eliminate abusive practices and stop debt harassment. A variety of restrictions exist under the FDCPA to prevent debt collection harassment.
Under the FDCPA, collection agents may not discuss any of the details of your debt to third parties. Co-signers on loans may, however, may be contacted.
Bill collectors may not make repeated phone calls or call you at unreasonable times. This act considers unreasonable times to be before 8:00 A.M. or after 9:00 P.M. unless you have agreed to allow them to contact you at those times. Any requests to cease harassing phone calls, such as those made to your workplace, should be sent via certified mail with return receipt requested.
Any threats of repossession, wage garnishment or unauthorized bank account withdraws are merely bluffs and are illegal. Other illegal threats sometimes used in debt collection harassment include going as far as threatening to arrest you if you fail to pay.
Any attempts to seek fees or interest payments that are not part of your contract with the creditor or permitted under the laws of your state are illegal, as well as using false claims to obtain information about you or your debt.
What should you do if you believe you are a victim of unfair debt collection practices? First, be sure you document all calls you receive from the debt collector, and record whatever you can. Keep copies of any written correspondence, such as requests to cease contacting you at work. Then, contact a fair debt attorney who has the expertise to help you settle the case.