Are you tired of the phone calls, the letters, the constant creditor harassment? Our creditor harassment attorneys at Legal Rights Advocates can help. We understand the frustration and the fear that these aggressive tactics can cause. These tactics are meant to intimidate you because debt collectors want to bully you into giving them money. Your unique, personal situation doesn’t matter to them. Creditor harassment is all about getting you to give in simply by harassing you and making your life miserable. 

It’s wrong. It’s illegal. And it stops here. 

The article below discusses how we can stop debt collectors from trying to pressure you, how the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act helps Legal Rights Advocates protect you, and what you can do to avoid credit troubles in the future. 

 

Who We Are

Legal Rights Advocates is a five-star-rated consumer law firm specializing in stopping unfair debt collection practices. We’ve seen thousands of clients whose lives have been haunted by unlawful and deceptive debt collection tactics, and we are putting a stop to it. Many debt collectors use underhanded tactics to push debtors into unreasonable or unsustainable arrangements. In extreme cases, some consumers are forced to change their phone numbers and other contact information to avoid the harassment. When creditors call your place of employment, your home, your family or friends to resolve the debt, it’s not just debt collection:  It’s creditor harassment, and our lawyers at Legal Rights Advocates are prepared to help you every step of the way. 

You might think you don’t need an attorney to help you deal with creditor harassment, but there’s a good chance you do. Debt collectors, who team up with credit report agencies, make money by intimidating you through unethical and often illegal means. Don’t let them scare you with their threats into making an agreement. Let Legal Rights Advocates and our experienced attorneys be part of your team. Together, we can put an end to the harassment that is negatively impacting your life. 

Your credit struggles don’t define you, nor do they give predatory collectors the right to harass you. Let us help.

 

Creditors Are Not Allowed to Threaten or Harass You In Any Way

If you are in trouble with a Debt Collector who makes your life difficult by calling or threatening you or your family because of a payment, you should know that you have rights and that there are certain rules governed by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) that limit how often and who they can call, what they can legally say, and how they can say it.

Creditors have limits on what they can do, and you have rights on how to handle their misconduct. The Federal Trade Commission has made it clear that you have the right to dispute a debt, to have proof from the creditor that the debt is yours, and to specify how they may or may not contact you or your attorney. If you need legal solutions to a situation that has gotten out of control, contact us today.

 

Fair’s Fair: The Fair Debt Collection Practices and Fair Credit Reporting Acts

Debt is a fact of life for many people in the United States, but consumers have protections they may not know about. Debt collectors count on you remaining ignorant of the legal protections you have against their illegal practices. It’s time to learn how the FDCPA can protect you against creditor harassment. Our experienced attorneys, who specialize in these areas, will explain these rights to you and the ways we can use them to keep you and your family safe. 

The Federal Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act was enacted in 1978 specifically to govern the ways in which debt collectors can target you. This comprehensive, consumer protection act limits what debt collectors are allowed to do: who they can contact, what they can legally say, even how they can deliver the information. Unfortunately, many collection agents count on consumers not knowing how the FDCPA limits collection attempts, and they use your unawareness to try to bend or even break the rules of the act. This is when fair debt collection becomes creditor harassment. While you do not technically need an attorney to help resolve collection issues, it is strongly recommended for consumers without strong working knowledge of the law to retain the services of an attorney for the best outcome with the least stress.

The FDCPA covers medical debts, mortgages, personal loans, and more. While the majority of people in the US carry some type of debt (to some degree, having debt can actually help build your credit—but only if you pay on time), debt collectors are required by law to treat you fairly and even courteously. The act prohibits debt collection companies from using deceptive, abusive, and other unfair practices to try to collect a debt from you. 

It’s important to note, however, the FDCPA does not cover business debts, only personal debts accrued through mortgages, medical bills, credit cards, and other personal and household debts. The law also does not typically apply to collection attempts by the original creditor, only any agencies they may hire to collect the debt on their behalf.

Under the purview of the FDCPA, debt collectors may not:

• Attempt to contact you at inconvenient or unusual times and places
• Harass you in any way, whether by phone, letter, email, or other form of communication
• Continue contacting you if you have an attorney representing you (they must contact the attorney instead)

You are also empowered to prohibit further contact from the debt collection agency via letter. If you do, the collection agency is only allowed to contact you to advise they will no longer attempt to contact you and that the original creditor will be taking legal action against you as allowed under your state’s laws. Note that such a letter does not prevent collectors from taking legal measures to collect the debt. It only forces them to comply with non-contact orders. 

If a debt collector lawfully contacts you about a debt, they are also legally obligated to provide you with the following information: 

• The name of your original creditor, even if the current one has changed 
• The amount you owe on your debt
• The fact that you can dispute the debt

The debt collection agency must provide this information either upon first contact or within five days of the initial contact. Failure to do so may result in a breach of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and carry legal repercussions for the company.

FCRA

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) governs how debt collection information can be used in credit reports, as well as standard reporting functions. Under the auspices of the FCRA, credit reporting companies may send your credit report to certain agencies and legal institutions in response to lawful queries. Once again, this act limits how these agencies may contact you and use your information in the interests of protecting consumers and creditors.

 

Time to Fight Back

When you believe creditors and debt collectors have gone too far, it’s time for you to fight back. If you are dealing with debt collector harassment, a lawyer experienced in debt collection and consumer protection laws is your best shield. Legal Rights Advocates will help you reclaim your peace of mind and your dignity. No one deserves to be disrespected and continuously harassed.

Debt collectors may threaten you with arrest, loss of your driver’s license or other certifications, as well as other unlawful legal action. They may lie about amounts owed (or to whom it is owed) or practice other bullying, harassing, and deceiving tactics. That’s when it’s time to get an attorney. We’ll put a stop to it so that you can return to your normal life and start paving the way to a better future, financially and with far less stress.

 

How to Manage Your Credit

Freeing yourself from the menace of debt collector harassment is only one part of the plan. We can help you understand your rights and responsibilities under state law and also protect you from unlawful debt collection practices. To best set yourself up for financial success, however, you’ll want to start getting your finances back on track as soon as possible. Here are some solutions to help you create a more stable, less stressful financial future.

Plan Your Budget Wisely

Many people fall into debt because they failed to budget properly (or don’t have a budget to begin with) and find themselves burdened with expenses greater than their means. Others are not financially prepared to cover unexpected situations. Cars break down. Water heaters go out. Injuries occur and leave you unable to work. For anyone stretched thin financially already, these situations can force you into a bad debt situation and leave you unable to pay it back, which only adds to your worries. 

We recommend you plan out your budget with a detailed list of all income and expenses. Cut down on unnecessary purchases and other expenses to see if it can help you save money. Sometimes just seeing on paper exactly how much you’re spending somewhere can really help you make better decisions about how to spend your money and plan more effectively.

Make Payment Plans

Once you have your detailed budget, you can begin to make payment plans with your creditors. Most creditors are willing to work with you on payments, making it easier and less overwhelming to start reducing your debts. The key to making an effective payment plan is knowing that you can safely cover those payments, even if unexpected things occur. For this reason, we recommend building a financial cushion into your budget.

Keep Realistic Goals

Maybe you want that fancy new car with all the bells and whistles, but it’s just not affordable for you right now. In that case, consider buying an older model of the same car, until you can build up your credit score. Many clients we have seen ended up deep in debt because they tried to take on too much of a financial burden for their means. Wanting to buy a house or a new car or take a dream vacation are worthwhile goals, of course, but in order to afford your dreams, you’re going to have to make some concessions along the way. 

Having realistic goals will keep you from overextending your finances and struggling with too many payments or payments that are too high. It’s OK to say “no” or “not right now” to that car salesperson or realtor. It’s also OK to accept less than the top of the line while you straighten out your financial affairs.

Looking for deals on secondary markets or waiting for sales, rather than paying full price for new items and services right out the door, can also help ease your financial burden.

If all else fails, ask if you can make a deal. Sometimes, companies are willing to help you out, especially when they’re new. The important thing is to remain realistic about what you can and can’t do so that you don’t overburden yourself and aren’t setting yourself up for failure.

Take Small Loans to Build Your Credit

Purchasing a credit card or taking out small loans that you have planned effectively enough to pay back with confidence are a great way to build up your credit. Always make your payments on time, and use them for small purchases or other quality-of-life items. This way, you can feel like your credit journey is less about juggling meaningless numbers and more about a real and positive impact on your life.

 

Don’t Be Afraid, Be Empowered

Legal Rights Advocates offers free consultations, so there’s no reason not to schedule an appointment and end your creditor harassment. Attorneys are standing by to assist you in taking control of your life back from aggressive and unfair debt collection practices. No one should ever have to feel like their life is ruined because of a financial mistake, so contact us today to see how we can help you get on the path to living your best life.