Most people dread it when a debt collector calls to ask about an unpaid credit card debt, past due student loan or late medical bill. Some people even fear it. However, consumer credit counselors, debt collectors and state regulators all agree that ignoring debt collectors’ letters, phone calls, text messages, and emails is a bad idea. They say to deal with it, otherwise matters can only get worse. The best advice is to try avoid debt collectors altogether. If you see trouble coming with debt, try to negotiate with the original creditor and work out a reasonable payment arrangement before the debt is sold to a third-party debt collector.
If that’s just not possible or it’s already too late, the following tips for dealing with debt collectors will help you navigate the turbulent terrain. First and foremost, educate yourself about your rights. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has several publications designed to educate consumers about their rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act or FDCPA for short. Harassing phone calls, threats and abusive language are illegal and should be reported to the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and your state attorney general’s office. The next tip is to stop ignoring the problem. It won’t go away on its own.
Do not ignore those phone calls, letters, text message, or emails. Most consumers are unaware of the fact that the law allows you to send a written request for verification of debt within 30 days of being contacted by a debt collector. Don’t wait if the debt isn’t yours. Debt collectors can place negative information on your credit report that remains there for seven years, which can affect your ability to get a mortgage or other loans, cheaper car insurance rates or even jobs. If you don’t communicate with a debt collector, everything after that becomes far less consumer friendly. The next tip is to find a consumer lawyer.
If you are served with a notice of a lawsuit, find an attorney who specializes in consumer law to represent you in court. Consumers who lose court judgments may have their wages garnished. Some suits are filed by debt collectors with little proof of the original debt owed. Depending on the state, the statute of limitations may have expired on the debt. Without a party appearing in court to challenge the sufficiency of the evidence, the creditor wins, and this is often based on insufficient information. The chances of having the lawsuit dismissed in court may be greater if you show up in court with legal representation.
If you feel that you are being treated unfairly by a creditor or collection agency, please contact us immediately. Legal Rights Advocates, Inc. is a consumer advocate law firm that focuses on consumer rights protection services across the Unites States. We have well over twenty-five (25) years of combined experience helping consumers that are experiencing Debt Collector Harassment, Social Security Disability issues, and a whole lot more. LRA is truly your consumer rights advocate. We take great pride in the fact that our job is to protect you from deceptive and or abusive debt collection practices.
LRA is an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau, and we have well over 500 Five Star Rating Reviews online from across the United States. Our goal is to assist you each and every step of the way regarding your rights for consumer protection. Please call us today for more information at 855-254-7841 or click here to visit our website. We look forward to working with you.
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