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Are Debt Collectors Harassing You? How to Make Them
Stop!
If you've been a victim of job loss,
medical emergency or other cause of income loss, you
may be one of the millions of individuals facing a pile
of debts that you cannot cover. Miss one or two payments
and you can expect to get a call from a debt collector.
Calls from debt collectors trying to
find you at your place of employment can be humiliating.
You may already be screening your calls, your chest
tightening as you realize it's them - again.
While not every debt collector is unsympathetic
and berating they likely do have to steel themselves
for many of the sad stories given to them as explanations
for past due debts. They are also frequently rewarded
for their efforts in collecting the debt with a commission
based on the amount obtained. It is easy to see why
it is not uncommon for individuals who are already in
a desperate state to fear encounters with the more aggressive
collectors who are determined to get their fees.
"What Are They Allowed to Do?"
Debt collectors are allowed to contact
you by in person, by mail, by telegram, by fax and by
phone; at home or at work - unless they know your employer
would disapprove. They may also not contact you before
8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. unless you have agreed to the
contact at that time.
They must contact your attorney unless
you don't have one. They may then contact other people
to find out your telephone number, work place or address,
but in most cases they are not allowed to inform them
that you owe money or contact them more than once.
"What If I Don't Want to be
Contacted?"
Whether or not you actually owe a debt
you can write a letter to the collector telling them
to stop contact. They may then contact you only once
to inform you that they will make no further contact
or to tell you what action may be taken against you.
Stopping contact will not clear the
debt. If you do not believe you owe the debt make that
clear in your letter.
"What Can I Do If I Am Harassed?"
The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) has
a Fair Debt Collection policy to protect consumers.
Knowing your rights will put off even the most determined
collector since they already know the law and are pressing
you on the assumption that you don't.
Debt collectors are NOT allowed to harass,
abuse or oppress you or other individuals on your behalf
- that includes obscene language, threats of violence
or repeated calling in an effort to annoy.
They are not allowed to misrepresent
themselves as government agents, attorneys or representing
a credit bureau if they are not. They cannot imply they
are sending legal documents if they aren't or that you've
committed a crime, if you haven't.
They cannot imply legal action, including
seizing property or garnishing wages unless they are
legally allowed and intend to do so.
You can find out more about your rights
from the FTC. If you want to report an agent you can
do so by contacting the FTC or your Attorney General.
If they are breaking the law you have the right to sue.
1howto.com
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