If you have ever been exasperated by the repeated attempts of debt collectors to call, email, or otherwise contact you, you are not alone. In fact, harassment by debt collection agencies became such a problem that the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) was instituted by the U.S. government to protect the rights of consumers. While many behaviors may lead to your annoyance with debt collectors, only some qualify as actual harassment under the law. For example, the collector should not:
- Call you at unreasonable hours
- Call you without providing any significant information or dialogue
- Call your workplace if they have been informed that your employer does not allow personal calls
- Contact family or friends about your whereabouts if they already know your information
These are just some of the actions that might qualify as harassment under the FDCPA. If you feel that your rights have been violated, you have been harassed, or debt collectors have failed to behave properly toward you, you might have a good cause for a lawsuit.
At Sue the Collector, we can help you analyze the details of your case and connect you with an attorney that is right for your needs. Better yet, we offer clients a FREE consultation, so there is no risk to you. To schedule a consultation with a member of the Sue the Collector team, call our office at (866) 768-6005 or fill out the form on our online contact page. We’re ready to help you get justice.
Debt Collection Harassment Behaviors
Online legal dictionaries define “harassment” as unwanted actions performed in a systematic or continuous manner for the purpose of intimidation. When it comes to debt collection practices, the definition has specific parameters. Federal law forbids debt collectors from acting in the following ways when contacting or communicating with you.
Abusive/Offensive Language
A debt collector is not allowed to use derogatory or defamatory language in conversation with you, including swear words, slurs, and similar unsavory speech.
Threats of Violence
Additionally, debt collectors should not threaten the use of physical force, injury, damage to your public reputation, or the destruction or harm of property you own as a way of pressuring you into paying a debt.
Threats of Legal Action
The law forbids debt collectors from falsely threatening to escalate a debt situation, such as claiming that they are going to take you to court. Unless they intend to do so, this is an unwarranted and illegal threat. Since this can be difficult to prove, as it hinges on intent, it is best to get legal assistance from a skilled lawyer when making a case against debt collectors for this violation.
Calling at Inappropriate Times
In the past, debt collectors became a nuisance by calling during all hours of the night. Thankfully, that is no longer the case. Debt collectors are not permitted to call before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. If they do so, this is cause for a lawsuit.
What to Do if Your Rights Are Violated
When debt collectors come calling, it can feel like you have no options available to you. This is far from the truth. At Sue the Collector, we connect clients to skilled and experienced debt attorneys who know the law and understand how to pursue legal action against the collectors who harass you.
Your first step should be to catalog the information pertaining to your case. If possible, you should try to collect:
- A credit report from all three major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, and Transunion)
- Your phone or call log
- All debt collection mail you have received
These pieces of evidence can help us build a profile on how debt collectors have behaved toward you, allowing us to spot any illegal activity that might warrant a lawsuit.
Once you have as much information as you can gather, get in touch with Sue the Collector. We specialize in connecting potential debt collection harassment victims with lawyers who have experience handling these kinds of cases. You are not alone. We have helped many clients in the past, including getting our clients compensation like:
- $1,000 for harassment
- $1,500 for each illegal robocall
Schedule a FREE Consultation About Your Debt Collection Harassment
The first step on the road to justice is to get professional opinions on your case. Sue the Collector provides all clients with a FREE consultation to discuss how debt collectors have behaved toward you and how attorneys can help you get compensation. Call our office today at (866) 768-6005 or submit your information via our online contact form.
With help from Sue the Collector, you can hold debt collectors and collection agencies accountable for their wrongdoing. You have options, and we can help you make the right move in your case.
