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What is Debt Collection Harassment?

Guest post by: John Kevin

Article Overview: The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) has a set of rules that determine what can be termed as harassment by the debt collector. Harassment can be either written or verbal.

What is Debt Collection Harassment?

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) has a set of rules that determine what can be termed as harassment by the debt collector. Harassment can be either written or verbal. Calling you repeatedly at home or work place is a form of harassment. Harassing in any form is considered a severe violation of the FDCPA. According to the FDCPA the following are considered violations of the Act by the debt collector:

Harassing by calling repeatedly

Threatening to use violence

Using obscene or abusive language

Calling at work place

Calling after you request him not to call

Calling but not giving name

Sending notices that look like court notices

Publishing a list of consumers who have not paid

Trying to extract payment over phone

Giving false identity of being an attorney

A debt collector can call you if there is a genuine debt to recover. But debt collectors are often over- enthusiastic and may end up placing too many calls or end up using tough language. This is considered to be harassment. The FDCPA punishes harassment by debt collectors. The Act gives out specific guidelines on what is considered unlawful behavior. These guidelines protect consumer rights.

If debt collectors obey the rules of the book the emotional stress faced by the debtors can be avoided. In the absence of this understanding there is a possibility of the consumer falling into the emotional trap.

You can avoid the harassment by following these simple rules:

Stay calm during the call

Do not enter into argument

Do not use foul language

Do not give away your bank details

Ask for debt validation

Send a cease and desist letter

Dispute the debt

If the debt collector has harassed you and violated your rights, you can sue him. You may engage an FDCPA attorney who will take care of the legal aspects.

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Article Tags: debt collection laws, Debt Collection Rights, debt collector harassment, fair debt collection, fair debt collection act, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, FDCPA



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