The Deceptive Practices of Debt Collectors
Most consumers probably have the intention to pay back their debts over time. Sometimes due to unforeseen circumstances, however, a person may endure financial challenges that result in late payments. Creditors may quickly request that a debt collector contacts the debtor for these overdue payments. Sadly, debtors may suffer harassment from the collector, through phone calls and letters. It can be scary to receive a call from a collector who is making threats about what will happen if you do not pay your debt off soon. A debtor may react with fear and have no idea how to respond, especially if they truly do not have the financial means to pay their debt. A debt collection lawyer can help protect you from debt collector harassment. They are familiar with all the ways that such an agency may pester you in order to get a payment.
How to Handle Debt Collector Mistreatment
A debt collector may use aggressive and deceptive methods when seeking payment from a debtor. A debtor may think this behavior from the collector is okay, if they actually do owe money to the creditor. However, there is a difference between a polite reminder and undeniable harassment. If you are being harassed, there are a few steps you can take:
- Maintain written records of every form of contact you have received
- Request debt verification to ensure claims of money owed are legitimate
- Request that the debt collector stops the harassment and that you are not permitting contact while at work
- Send requests to cease harassment through certified mail with a return receipt, and keep a copy for your own records
If these steps do not work, then it may be time to get legal representation. If you are not sure if the debt collector has gone too far, you should consult with an attorney about whether or not you should take legal action.
Taking Legal Action to Halt Harassment
Debt collectors may harass a debtor, while fully aware that what they are doing is illegal. A debt collector may continue to harass and be deceptive in how the agency operates because no one has taken legal action against them for it yet. Unfortunately, it may take filing a lawsuit for a debt collection agency to re-evaluate their methods. If a debtor wins in a lawsuit, the debt collector loses money by paying the debtor compensation — which is likely the very last thing they want.
If any of the information provided above is true for your current situation, please contact a law office to schedule a consultation with an attorney. Remember, you should not have to suffer harassment just because a debt has not been paid yet.
