When it comes to debt collection harassment, there is both good news and bad news. The good news is that debt collectors cannot do “whatever they want” to collect from you. There are laws and regulations designed to protect you from abusive behavior. The bad news is that some unscrupulous collectors break those rules, and it’s up to you to recognize the abuse and report it. This leads to an important question: what qualifies as harassment or abuse in debt collection?
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) was enacted in the 1970s and has been amended several times since then. It remains the main legal protection against unreasonable or threatening behavior from creditors and collection agencies. Debt collectors are not allowed to harass, oppress, or abuse you—or anyone else they contact about your debt. But what is the difference between being annoying and being abusive? Pay attention to these two key areas:
#1 Misrepresentation
A debt collector cannot misrepresent who they are or the nature of your debt. This includes false, deceptive, or misleading collection practices. If the person calling refuses to provide their name or the name of the company they represent, that may qualify as misrepresentation. It also includes making false threats, pretending to be an attorney or another authority, or threatening actions they cannot legally take.
#2 Harassment
If you feel that the collector is ignoring your boundaries or treating you disrespectfully, it may be harassment. Harassment includes threats of violence or harm, obscene or abusive language, and sharing your personal information in order to shame you into paying. Collectors also cannot call you in the middle of the night. If you verbally request that they stop calling your workplace, they must comply.
Are you receiving harassing calls at home or at work? Multiple calls per day from the same collector? Are they filling up your voicemail or calling at all hours? You do not have to tolerate it—it may be illegal. Knowing this is only the first step. Contact Safe Credit Solutions to learn how we can help. This service is FREE for you! In some cases, you could receive up to $1,000, have your debt dismissed, and even have your name removed from credit reports.
Take back control of your life.
