Debt collectors and collection agencies often put pressure on people who owe money. They call all the time, demanding repayment, and they may make you believe that you have no recourse. However, the law is often on the side of the debtor. There are legal protections in place to limit the ways that a debt collector can speak to you, call you, and take action against you to secure repayment.
At Sue the Collector, our attorneys can analyze your situation and help you determine whether your rights have been violated. If so, you might be entitled to sue the collection agency for compensation. In the past, clients have been able to get up to $1,000 for harassment behaviors and up to $1,500 for each illegal robocall they have received.
Our team provides prospective clients with a FREE consultation to better understand how we can help you. To schedule your meeting with a member of our staff, get in touch with us by dialing (866) 768-6005. You can also fill out our online contact form by clicking on our contact page.
Despite how debt collectors may make you feel, you have options. We are on your side.
Rights Protected by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
The major piece of legislation that protects you from abuse by debt collectors is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). It restricts the way that collectors can talk to you when contacting you about your debt. If a debt collector or collection agency violates these rules, you may have significant cause for a lawsuit against them.
Language Restrictions
Verbal abuse is prohibited by the FDCPA. This means that a debt collector CANNOT:
- Call you names
- Use vulgar or lewd language
- Use racial slurs or racially-charged words
- Use swear words when speaking to you
Protection Against Threats
Also, debt collectors are not allowed to threaten you with harm. While some escalation in your debt can occur (such as a court summons and eventual wage garnishment), the collector CANNOT:
- Threaten you with physical harm
- Threaten you with damage or destruction of property
- Falsely threaten you with a lawsuit
- Use escalation language as a threat, such as “our lawyers will hear about this!”
Call Hours
Everyone deserves peace at home and a normal sleep cycle. The law agrees, which is why debt collectors are prohibited from calling at inconvenient hours just to harass you. They should only call you between 8:00 in the morning and 9:00 at night, in your time zone. If you keep getting calls in the dead of night from unfamiliar phone numbers, you might be the victim of harassment from debt collectors. An attorney at Sue the Collector can help you get to the bottom of the matter and hold the collector accountable.
Revealing Your Situation to Others
The FDCPA also sets restrictions on when debt collectors can call other people (or social areas) about your debt. For example, they cannot call your friends and family in an attempt to locate you if they have already been given your location and contact information. They also are forbidden from calling your workplace if you have made them aware that you are not able to accept personal calls during work hours.
Though debt collectors may say they do this to get information about where you are, they often call others about you in order to make you humiliated and embarrassed. That way, they hope, you will pay the debt more quickly. But this is a violation of your rights, and you deserve compensation for it.
You Are Not Alone
According to experts, nearly 32% of Americans are in the midst of a debt collection process. That translates to 71 million people who are at the mercy of debt collectors and agencies, just like you. With lockdown measures related to the novel coronavirus and additional factors, this number is set to grow even more.
Debt collectors often make you feel like you are in this battle alone. You aren’t. You have options and rights, and the team at Sue the Collector is determined to help you fight against any breach of your rights.
Get a FREE Consultation to See if You Should Sue a Debt Collector
If you are one of the 71 million people in some stage of debt collection, you might be the victim of harassment from a debt collector. Don’t let them trample on your rights! Get help from the team at Sue the Collector today.
We provide a FREE consultation to analyze the legal strength of your case. If you qualify for compensation, we will connect you with an attorney who can help you sue your debt collector or agency. Call today to schedule your appointment at (866) 768-6005 or provide your information on our contact page and we will be in touch.
Sue the debt collector to keep them accountable, protect your rights and the rights of other debtors, and get the compensation you deserve.
