Experienced attorneys understand the tactics debt collectors use to pressure you into payback. They know the guilt collectors lay on their victims and how this affects you on a daily basis, call after call. Attorneys want to protect and serve their clients, so it is wise to hire a lawyer, like a debt collection lawyer as soon as possible.
Tracking Communications with Debt Collectors
The most important thing to remember when you find yourself speaking to a debt collector is to take notes and be careful about what you say. Here are a few other tips for dealing with debt collectors:
Keep a call log. You’ll want to create an orderly place to track information. It doesn’t have to be fancy — a simple notebook will do. Whatever you use, be sure to make use of it consistently. The information is only as good as how often it’s recorded. Write down the name of who you spoke to, the date and time, and any other relevant details about what each of you said during the call. This kind of documentation can be crucial in harassment cases. If you believe you have been treated unfairly or that you are being harassed, going off of memory alone will not be enough.
Debt collectors are skilled at using pressuring tactics to get you to agree to pay, even if it ruins another part of your life. They may encourage you to borrow money from friends or family members or to take out other types of loans to pay back the debt.
Never give out bank account information unless it is for the purpose of paying the debt. You should also never give out information about your monthly earnings or property values. Again, you must remember debt collectors will seek to use your words against you.
What constitutes harassment
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) outlines how, and even when, bill collectors can contact you.
Experienced lawyers from clients all the time about some common violations to the FDCPA, including:
- Debt collectors calling outside of designated hours. In general, collectors should not be calling before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
- Using obscene language
- Continuing to call debtors even after they have hired a lawyer
- Threatening arrest or jail time
- Threatening to tell employers, family, and friends about your financial troubles
Hiring a Lawyer and getting the harassment to stop
When you work with a lawyer, he or she will take over communication with bill collectors. Hiring a trusted attorney to represent you means he or she will step in to receive phone calls and other forms of contact so you don’t have to deal with them anymore. He or she will seek justice in your case, not only to negotiate more fair repayment terms, but also to seek prosecution if the debt collection agency is violating consumer protection laws.
Lawyers understand how debt is weighing you down. Harassment from debt collectors only furthers the stress and anxiety. Many of these companies will not observe laws and expect consumers will not take legal action against them, but you don’t have to put up with it. Contact an attorney today to set up a consultation.
