Debt collectors have a reputation for being unpleasant and some of them are downright abusive. Consumers do have legal rights when it comes to debt collection. These legal rights were established with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). If you’re unsure of your legal rights or you feel you’re being harassed, it’s a good idea to contact a law firm. If you have exorbitant debt that you feel you can’t pay off, you may wish to contact an attorney at a law firm that specializes in bankruptcy law.
Misleading Practices
Lawyers often work with clients who have suffered from misleading or fraudulent actions on the part of unscrupulous debt collectors. The FDCPA prohibits debt collectors from engaging in fraudulent, deceptive, or otherwise misleading practices, which include falsely pretending that the caller is an attorney, threatening your arrest, threatening illegal actions, or threatening actions that the caller does not truly intend to carry out. They also cannot misrepresent the nature or the amount of the debt.
Excessive Phone Calls
One of the more common complaints consumers have about debt collectors is the sheer number of phone calls from these agencies. Debt collectors are not legally permitted to make an excessive number of daily phone calls to you, nor can they call you at a time that is inconvenient. They are barred from calling prior to eight in the morning and after nine at night in your time zone. Additionally, if you file for bankruptcy, the debt collector must stop calling you.
Abusive Language
Debt collectors are not permitted to use abusive, profane, or otherwise offensive language when communicating with you. They cannot threaten you with harm or violence.
Improper Reporting
Sometimes, a debt collector will threaten humiliation if the debt is not resolved. For example, he or she may threaten to make information about your debt public or the debt collector may inform your employer and other parties about the debt. These practices are illegal.
The law firm of Cutler & Associates, Ltd. understands the frustration that comes with being buried in debt. With help from our experienced bankruptcy attorneys, you can break free of your debt and get a fresh start in life.