To combat aggressive practices and harassment from debt collection agencies, the United States Government passed the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) in 1978 and has updated it for the modern era. The law enumerates consumers’ rights and limits the way that debt collectors can pursue repayment. However, not all situations are covered under this law. The FDCPA DOES NOT apply to:
- The original creditor
- Non-personal and non-household debts
For example, if the debt that is being collected is business debt, the FDCPA likely does not apply. If the person hounding you for repayment is the original creditor and not a third-party collection agency, the FDCPA also likely would not apply.
The complexities of debt cases can be substantial, making it difficult for harassed victims to know whether they have been subjected to unfair debt collection practices. Luckily, you are not alone. The team at Sue the Collector is available for a FREE consultation to discuss the merits of your case. If we believe that the evidence shows a pattern of illegal, unfair, and abusive treatment at the hands of these debt collectors, we can connect you with skilled legal counsel to bring a lawsuit against these bad actors.
To get in touch with Sue the Collector, fill out the form on our contact page and let us know the details of your claim. You can also call us directly at (866) 768-6005. Our team has a great track record helping clients just like you get the justice and compensation they deserve.
Information We Might Need to Pursue Your Case
Violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act can lead to significant compensation. For example, some of our previous clients have received up to:
- $1,000 for harassment
- $1,500 for each individual robocall made in violation of the law
In order to judge whether your case warrants a lawsuit, Sue the Collector will need as much information as possible. Try to gather the following before contacting us, if possible, as this will help us get the ball rolling on your case.
Credit Reports
In some cases, your rights may have been violated by a debt collector sending false information to credit reporting agencies. They also may have executed adverse actions against your credit score without notifying you like they are required to do. To help check for these issues, download a credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax, and Transunion).
Call History
Next, make sure to keep track of your call history. This could require ensuring that your cell phone does not delete the history of calls from these debt collectors, or it could mean contacting the phone company if you have a landline. Additionally, keep any messages left by debt collectors.
All of this information can be used to show that collectors called you during illegal hours or used illegal robocall technology. Also, voicemails and messages that contain offensive or abusive language can help prove that the debt collector was harassing you.
Debt Collection Paperwork
Gather all of the mail you have received from debt collectors or agencies. This can tell us whether the collector has used illegal escalation language, whether they have harassed you consistently, and more.
Why Legal Counsel Is Best
Not all situations require an attorney, but you are often much better off having skilled legal counsel on your side. Debt collection law is complex and requires debt collectors to act in specific ways. Without knowing the full ins and outs of the law, you may miss out on the compensation that you are owed.
At Sue the Collector, our team is well-versed in handling cases that include violations of both the FDCPA and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). With our help, you can find the full value of your case based on all the ways that a debt collector or collections agency has violated your rights.
Schedule Your Appointment for FREE
Sue the Collector is dedicated to helping clients keep the aggressive and harmful behaviors of debt collectors in check. Get in touch with us today if you think that your situation might fall under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act or if you feel that you have been unjustly targeted for harassment by collectors.
We provide all clients with a FREE consultation on the merits and value of your potential lawsuit. If we find violations that warrant legal action, we can connect you with a lawyer who is right for your case. Call today at (866) 768-6005 or use the form on our contact page to get in touch with us.
