October 29th, 2009 FDCPA Prevents Creditor Harassment
Just about everybody has taken out a loan at sometime in their lives. The vast majority of people want to repay their loans if they are able to do so. One good reason is our fear of being harassed by creditors if we don’t pay.
When a debt is past its due date for payment, the creditor entrusts the responsibility of collection to a debt collector. Debt collectors usually employ techniques that amount to gentle persuasion, verbal arm twisting, or subtle threats to get debtors to pay up. These tactics can often move beyond the realm of the acceptable into the realm of the illegal.
In fact, debt collection techniques that are considered outright debt collection harassment have been made illegal under the US FDCPA – Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. In spite of this effort to protect consumers from harassment, many debt collectors continue to use unacceptable methods. They can often get away with this because consumers are unaware of the protection they have under the law.
Unscrupulous debt collectors play on the good conscience of people who owe money. The vast majority of people want to repay their debts. Bill collectors, however, have a job to do. They don’t really care about retaining good relations with past customers who have gone delinquent. They don’t really want to hear excuses or stories from people. They are only interested in getting paid.
There are many methods of harassment, but under the law there are certain prohibited tactics that cannot be used for the collection of debts. Abusive language is one of them, as well as communicating with third parties in the effort to collect.
Learn more about the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act – FDCPA – and how it protects you from debt harassment. Visit FairDebtHelpers.com for a free evaluation of your case by an experienced fair debt attorney.
There is also a strict limit on when collection phone calls can be made – only between 8 am and 9 pm. Calling your employer is also not allowed if you specifically tell them not to. Furthermore, if you have a lawyer representing you, debt collectors are no longer free to call you directly.