Southwest Credit Systems is a full-service debt collection agency that helps clients recover their overdue debt. The company takes over consumer and commercial debts as well as court-ordered judgements to help recover loans that are overdue. There have been instances where agents of Southwest Credit Systems have been associated with different types of debt harassment as it pertains to The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/rules/rulemaking-regulatory-reform-proceedings/fair-debt-collection-practices-act-text#809
Typically, a debt collection agency purchases overdue debt from creditors, pursuing consumers who owe the debt, and eventually recovering their own costs from this overdue debt. As a result, it is important that they recover loans in full and as rapidly as possible. For this reason, their collection practices can border on aggression; at times causing stress to consumers who are contacted for the purpose of debt collection.
Understanding Debt Harassment By Southwest Credit Systems
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a law that outlines behavior practices for debt collection agents. The law recognizes that overdue debt is a cause for great anxiety and trauma by itself. When clubbed with collection efforts, the trauma of debt collection can spill over and turn into harassment. As a result, the FDCPA was set up to protect the interests of consumers who are already grappling with the burden of a loan that they are unable to repay coupled with aggressive follow-up and collection tactics. It’s outline, thus is to aim to protect consumers from abuse, threat, and harassment.
Aggressive Collection Practices and Debt Collection Harassment
Here are the FDCPA outlines that enforce debt collection practices, and which, if found violated by Southwest Credit Systems, can result in consumer harassment.
- Identification: Debt collectors must identify themselves and provide their identity while also informing consumers that information gleaned may be utilized in further debt collection efforts.
- Details of Creditor: Debt collectors must inform consumers about the entity they are collecting debt on behalf of. This includes leaving contact details with the consumer so that there is no ambiguity around the creditor’s identity.
- Communicating Consumer Rights: Consumers have their rights, which include disputing the debt itself. Debt collectors must communicate this to consumers.
- Verification of the Debt: Once the consumer has been contacted, the collector must provide them with a notice to the effect that they can request debt verification. If the request for debt verification does come through, debt collectors need to provide the consumer with proof in the form of a receipt or a record of the overdue debt. Read about the validation of debt .
- Contacting Consumers: A debt collector cannot contact consumers before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. Once a consumer has stated refusal to pay up, legal action can be taken up depending on the reasons for refusal. However, continuing to contact the consumer or making frequent calls can be construed as harassment and the consumer would be well within their rights to take action against this harassment.
- Informing Others About the Debt: Debt collectors cannot leave details of the debt with anybody other than the consumer. It is also illegal to make the debt public. Read more on the acquisition of local information .
- Misrepresenting Information: Any kind of misinformation is illegal, whether it is details of the debt or providing false information regarding their own identities or that of the creditor. Debt collectors are bound to provide correct details regarding all aspects of the debt to the consumer. Read more on False/ Misleading information… https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/rules/rulemaking-regulatory-reform-proceedings/fair-debt-collection-practices-act-text#807
- Threatening the Consumer: Debt Collectors cannot threaten consumers with potential legal action or tell the consumer they will be sent to prison. Using abusive language is also prohibited.
Read more in depth regarding the unfair practices laws and how it could apply to the situation you are dealing with… https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/rules/rulemaking-regulatory-reform-proceedings/fair-debt-collection-practices-act-text#808
Learn more about communication in connection with debt collection.
Stop the Harassment from Southwest Credit Systems
These outlines do not just protect consumers, they also provide consumers the option to verify and validate their debt. Outlines of the FDCPA are punishable by monetary compensation if violated. However, debt harassment must be proven successfully if intending to sue the debt collector. FDCPA violations need to be recorded or documented and proven effectively if compensation is to be availed of.
Ideally, consumers must note the numbers associated with Southwest Credit Systems:
- (972) 300-1700
- (800) 637-7439
- (972) 323-3700
- (800) 462-3894
- (800) 462-3892
- (857) 277-7557
- (877) 278-2341
Legal Rights Advocates, PLLC is a law firm that helps clients who are facing debt harassment and looking for ways to bring a stop to it. Our team of attorneys, over the years, has helped countless clients understand the process better, act against it as needed, and win largely successful outcomes.
Debt harassment and FDCPA violations can be a tricky area to navigate, best understood by someone conversant with the laws and able to apply them to individual cases in the appropriate manner. A Debt Harassment Advocate at legal Rights Advocates www.yourlegalrightsadvocates.com or attorney can help guide consumers on how best to handle the harassment while ensuring it is brought to an end effectively.
Call us at (855)254-7841 for immediate assistance and to put a stop to the harassment.