Stop Harassment from Debt Collectors
Phone calls to your home or office from debt collectors can be stressful and embarrassing. But you have the right to stop calls when they become harassing.
Federal and Pennsylvania laws protect you from offensive creditor behavior. The laws are called the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Fair Credit Extension Uniformity Act.
Illegal harassment laws
Under these laws, creditors may not engage in harassing behavior. Illegal harassment includes:
- Calling before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
- Calling your workplace after you told the collection company you cannot receive calls at work
- Using verbally abusive or profane language
- Threatening to use physical force against you, another person or your property
- Threatening to arrest you
- Threatening to sue you or garnish wages without intending to do so
How to stop the calls
The laws also provide ways for you to stop debt collector calls from interrupting your life. You can send the debt collector a cease and desist letter via fax or certified mail with a return receipt. This letter should state you do not wish to be called and all future communication should be in writing. When the debt collector receives this letter, he or she is legally required to stop demanding payment by phone.
Debt collectors prey on consumers who do not know about their rights to stop harassment. Let debt collectors know that you are a knowledgeable consumer. Tell collectors that you know your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and that you know their harassing behavior is illegal.
If you want to know more about your debt relief options, contact an experienced attorney. Harold Shepley & Associates is a full service debt relief law firm, and we can answer your questions about bankruptcy and debt management.
July 5, 2013 Posted in Debt Tagged fair credit extension uniformity act, fair debt collection practices act, harassment from debt collectors, offensive creditor behavior Leave a comment
