When you’re in debt, the most important thing to do is learn how to deal with debt collectors as you work on repayment. Remember, when a debt collector calls you to collect on debt you owe, you have legal rights. The Fair Debt Collections Practices Act helps protect people just like you from predatory debt collectors when you’ve missed bill payments. One thing it covers is debt collector harassment and intimidation. Even if they are nice when they call, calling too often is debt collector harassment in and of itself. This leads to the question, how many calls from a debt collector is considered harassment?

When do Repeated Calls Become Debt Collector Harassment?

As briefly stated above, debt collectors are not allowed to do and say whatever they want. According to the Consumer Protection Financial Bureau, the law doesn’t give a specific limit on the number of times a debt collector can call you. What it does say, however, is that debt collectors may not call you repeatedly or continuously intending to annoy, abuse, or harass you or others who share the number. It isn’t only about how many times they are calling, but also when. Debt collectors cannot call you at an unusual time, or at a lace they know is inconvenient to you, like work. They are prohibited from contacting you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.

As well, you do have a right to tell the debt collector to stop calling you. You must do this in writing in order for it to be legally binding. If you tell a debt collector in writing to stop contacting you, it may not contact you again except to say there will be no further contact or to notify you that your creditor may take some specific action it is legally allowed to take, such as filing a lawsuit against you. Remember, even if they stop calling that doesn’t mean the ordeal is over. Your creditor may still file a lawsuit against you or make a negative report to a consumer reporting company.

Safe Credit Solutions can Help You Deal with Debt Collector

HarassmentYou don’t want to stay in debt, but you’re struggling to pay it all back. What can you do?  Safe Credit Solutions can help you! Our credit consultant will go over your current financial debt profile and help you to determine the best way to improve your credit. As you’re working your way out of debt, the harassing phone calls will begin to fade away. If they don’t, we can also help you deal with debt collector harassment. No matter what you’re going through and how far in debt you are, we’re here for you!