If you’re in debt and feel like you’re barely keeping your head above water, it’s easy to believe that no one is on your side. It can feel like it’s you against the world as you try to climb out of an ocean of financial problems. In reality, there are people on your side — including us at Safe Credit Solutions. That’s why we want to tell you about a legal protection you can (and should) take advantage of: the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). It protects you in several ways that you should know about. The truth is that some collectors may not always follow these rules closely, and that’s where we can help. First, let’s briefly explain what the FDCPA is, and then look at how it protects you.
What Is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act?
In simple terms, the FDCPA protects consumers from abusive debt collection practices, such as offensive language and deceptive communication. Debt collectors cannot lie to you or make your life miserable with harassing or humiliating calls. Thanks to this law, you have control over how collectors communicate with you.
How the FDCPA Protects You
#1 You can limit when and how collectors contact you
Collectors cannot call you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., and they cannot contact you at your workplace if you have already asked them not to. If you have an attorney, they must communicate through that attorney. In addition, collectors cannot discuss your debt with third parties such as your employer, neighbors, or even family members. In fact, they must stop contacting you altogether if you request it.
#2 You are protected from harassment or abuse
Collectors are not allowed to use profanity, threaten violence, or repeatedly call you with the intent to annoy or harass you. In this context, harassment may include calling more than once in a single day about a specific debt, or contacting you again within a week after already speaking with you about that same debt.
#3 They must be truthful
Debt collectors cannot use false, deceptive, or misleading representations to collect a debt. For example, they cannot lie about the legal consequences of not paying, and they cannot pretend to be another company, professional, or government authority.
#4 It restricts other unfair practices
Collectors cannot request post-dated checks as a way to threaten you or initiate criminal action. They also cannot deposit (or threaten to deposit) a post-dated check before the agreed date, nor can they try to collect more than what you actually owe, including improper fees or interest.
#5 They must validate your debt
Collectors must prove that you actually owe the debt they are trying to collect. This process begins with a debt validation letter, which you have the right to request.
Even though these protections exist under the law, they are not always enforced automatically. You don’t have to deal with this alone — Safe Credit Solutions is on your side. Contact us today to learn how we can help you protect your rights and manage your debt more effectively.
