There are certain debt collector rights that have been enforced by law. For example, a debt collector may not contact you at inconvenient times or places, such as before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., unless you agree. A debt collector also may not contact you at work if the collector knows that your employer disapproves of such contacts.
Need to understand what debt collector right has been violated? Contact a Bankruptcy Lawyer to find out all your legal options and debt collector rights to protect yourself.
You can stop a debt collector from contacting you by writing a letter to the collector telling them to stop. Once the collector receives your letter, they may not contact you again except to say there will be no further contact or to notify you that the debt collector or the creditor intends to take some specific action. A collector may not contact you if, within 30 days after you receive the written notice, you send the collection agency a letter stating you do not owe money. However, a collector can renew collection activities if you are sent proof of the debt, such as a copy of a bill for the amount owed.
Debt collection practices prohibit harassment. Debt collectors may not harass, oppress, or abuse you or any third parties they contact.
As a Debt collector right may not:
- Use threats of violence or harm
- Publish a list of consumers who refuse to pay their debts
- Use obscene or profane language
- Repeatedly use the telephone to annoy someone
- Falsely imply that you have committed a crime
- Misrepresent the amount of your debt
- You will be arrested if you do not pay your debt
they will seize, garnish, attach, or sell your property or wages, unless the collection agency or creditor intends to do so, and it is legal to do so
- Give false credit information about you to anyone
- Including a credit bureau
- Send you anything that looks like an official document from a court or government agency
You have the right to sue a collector in a state or federal court within one year from the date the law was violated. If you win, you may recover money for the damages you suffered plus an additional amount up to $1,000. Court costs and attorney' s fees also can be recovered.
A group of people also may sue a debt collector and recover money for damages up to $500,000, or one percent of the collector' s net worth, whichever is less.
See Also:
Negotiating With Creditors
Need to understand what debt collector right has been violated? Contact a Bankruptcy Lawyer to find out all your legal options and debt collector rights to protect yourself.
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Need to understand what debt collector right has been violated? Contact a Bankruptcy Lawyer to find out all your legal options and debt collector rights to protect yourself.
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