FDCPA
Financial challenges such as overwhelming debt often result from other stressful unexpected life challenges. It may feel like you have no hope of finding a way out and the troubles are made worse by aggressive debt collection tactics. A sense of worry that a debt collector will be harassing you every time the phone rings, the mail is delivered or even an email is received leads to long term stress and further problems in your life.
There are protections available to you though the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and Regency Legal Group will ensure you are protected from debt collectors violating the FDCPA.
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) Violations.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), whose mandate is to protect consumers by legislation, took steps in 2015 to stop debt collector harassment. They worked through all levels of government including municipal, state and federal to introduce initiatives that would hold debt collectors liable if they violated the rules outlined in the FDCPA.
Unfair, abusive and deceptive practices by debt collectors are prohibited under the FDCPA. Examples of these include:
- Asking you to pay a fee, expenses or Interest that are not legally allowed.
- Asking you to pay a debt higher than the actual amount owed.
- Making calls continuously
- The use of profane, obscene or abusive language in any communication with you.
- Calling you early in the morning (before 8am) or late in the evening (after 9pm)
- Calling you at times such as holidays or weekends and times that they should have known are inconvenient.
- They cannot threaten you with violence for not paying the debt
- They must not threaten you with actions that they will or cannot take against you.
- Continuously call a third party, for example a friend or employer, to find your location
- Contact you at work if you have told them your employer does not allow these calls.
The rules of the FDCPA regarding debt collection practices are relevant to all consumer debts incurred for personal or household reasons. Examples include student loans, credit card debts, personal loans, car loans and utility bills.
Dealing with Creditor Harassment
The best way to deal with debt collection harassment is to have legal representation. You can avoid the negative consequences of long-term stress resulting from debt collection abusive tactics and receive help towards getting the calls, letters and harassments stopped. When you engage a lawyer to represent you all future communications with the debt collectors must go through your lawyer so you can focus on solutions to your debt problems and have the peace of mind that any further abuse will result in legal action.
Call Regency Legal Group now to take back control of your life, end the harassment, and learn about your options with our no-obligation case evaluation.