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Your stress level likely goes sky-high each and every time you receive another call from someone trying to collect a debt. Harassment from debt collectors has led to the loss of jobs, marital instability, personal bankruptcies, and a serious invasion of privacy.
Is it legal for debt collectors to pursue the verification or collection of a debt? Yes, it is. However, the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) has deemed it illegal to harass people to collect a debt. The FDCPA (Fair Debt Collection Practices Act) protects you. On the topic of collection calls, for example, harassment is not allowed. It is advisable to also make sure that no credit reporting errors have taken place, which could be affecting your credit rating, causing undue debt collector pursuits, and more.
In many cases, federal laws are obeyed by tax collectors. Unfortunately, debt collector harassment is still engaged in and some collectors continue to cross the line. To stop this harassment, you may want to take legal action. You may even decide to pursue some type of debt protection.
Is There a Way to Stop Debt Collector Harassment?
If you experience a debt collector who does any of the following, you are advised to stop the harassment by taking legal action:
- Sends text messages that could be considered harassing
- Threatens violence
- Uses obscene or profane language
- Calls too often, and more
Before you attempt any of the below-stated suggestions, make sure that all harassment and contact are documented diligently. Keep a debt collector harassment log, of sorts. During communications and/or phone calls, if possible, have another person present as a witness. Check state laws to see whether or not, without notifying the debt collector, you can record conversations.
How to Deal with Harassment by Debt Collectors
Here are some of the legal methods you can use to stop harassment by collectors:
- You may be able to file a suit for harassment against the debt collection agency. Contact an Austin, TX debt resolution lawyer.
- With the agency appropriate to your state, file an official complaint.
- File an official complaint with the FTC. Included in the complaint should be the following:
- Names of witnesses
- Times and dates of all communications
- Original creditor name
- Name and address of the collection agency
- Any other materials which you may feel appropriate such as your debt collector harassment logs, tapes of conversations (if applicable), written documents, etc.
- Make sure that all harassment and contact is documented. This will be proof for a harassment case.
- To attempt to get communications from harassing debt collectors to cease, write a formal letter requesting such. Just because of this letter, however, the debt won’t go away. You must also do one of the following:
- As they begin collecting new debt (if applicable), deal with them individually.
- Devise a repayment plan, get a debt discharge, or file for
- Devise a plan in which the debt is disputed.
- Make debt payments.
Informally Dealing with Creditors
By filing for bankruptcy or taking the steps above, you can stop debt collection harassment. But if it doesn’t go away, the debt must be handled. To negotiate terms that are mutually beneficial, you may want to try to work something out. Here are some other suggestions for alternatives to the above-stated steps:
- Dispute billing charges
- Loan workouts
- Credit counseling
- Repayment plans
- Other workouts not associated with bankruptcy
Would you like the harassment by debt collector individuals to come to a screeching halt? Here’s what to do…
Having Trouble with Bankruptcy And Debt Collectors? Talk to The Debt Defenders by Ciment Law Firm, PLLC
The last thing that debt collectors care about is you as an individual. They are focused on one thing and one thing only – collecting debt. They will go to any lengths to do so, more times than not. Stop them dead in their tracks by contacting The Debt Defenders by Ciment Law Firm, PLLC as soon as possible. The sooner you bring those annoying phone calls to an end, the sooner you can get back to your peaceful existence.
Contact us today at 866-493-1308 for an appointment. You can also fill out our convenient online form to begin communication.