Examples Of Debt Collector Abuse
From Chelsea’s interview for the Masters of Bankruptcy series on ReelLawyers.com.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is a powerful piece of legislation that regulates the way debt collectors can pursue debts. The act provides a large number of rights to consumers; if any of these rights are violated, the consumer has the right to sue the debt collector for damages.
Specific Examples Of Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) Violations
There are many examples of debt collector abuse. Under the FDCPA, creditors cannot:
- Ask you to pay more than you owe or misrepresent the amount of the debt
- Ask you to pay interest, fees or expenses that are not allowed by law
- Call repeatedly or continuously
- Use obscene, profane or abusive language
- Call before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m.
- Call at times the collector knows or should have known are inconvenient
- Suggest that you take an action that is illegal, immoral or unethical in order to pay the debt
- Use or threaten to use violence if you don’t pay the debt
- Threaten legal action they cannot or will not take
- Illegally inform a third party about your alleged debt
- Repeatedly call a third party to get your location information
- Contact you at work knowing that your employer doesn’t approve
Other Violations
This list is far from exhaustive. There are many strictly regulated activities related to debt collection; if you feel you have been harassed or deceived by a debt collector, speak to a lawyer for more information about your particular situation.
Contact A Kansas City Consumer Rights Attorney
The Law Offices of Tracy L. Robinson, LC, offers a free consultation to all of our Kansas and Missouri clients. We have convenient office locations in downtown Kansas City, Lee’s Summit and Zona Rosa. If you feel you have been harassed or abused by a debt collector, contact us online or call us at 816-842-1317.
We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.