Abusive Debt Collection Practices
Financial hardships happen. Unfortunately, debt collectors are typically paid by the amount they collect and often do so without regard for their tactics. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act provides consumers with recourse, including the ability to recovery actual damages plus up to $1,000 and fees for an attorney so all the remaining damages go to you. An example of some violations of the FDCPA are:
Failing to send you a written notice explaining the amount of debt, to whom the debt is owed, that you have thirty days to dispute the debt, and that you have the right to dispute the debt
Refusing to identify himself or herself
Communicating with you at your place of employment
Communicating with you before 8 AM or after 9 PM
Communicating with a third-party in connection with your debt without your consent
Informing a third-party (such as a friend or coworker of yours) that you owe a debt
Continuing to contact you after you have asked them to stop
Threatening violence or using obscenity
Repeatedly calling you with the intent to annoy
Falsely representing the amount of a debt
Representing or implying that you have committed a crime
Threatening arrest
Threatening to garnish wages or dispossess you of any other property (without a court order)
Threatening to sue on a time-barred debt (six years after last payment made)
False representations
There are many more violations – if you believe you’re being subjected to unfair collection or debt practices, request a free consultation above.