Have You Experienced any of the following from a Debt Collector or Creditor?
- Repetitious phone calls that are intended to annoy, abuse, or harass you or any person answering the phone
- Obscene or profane language
- Threats of violence or harm
- Publishing lists of people who refuse to pay their debts (this does not include reporting information to a credit reporting company)
- Calling you without telling you who they are
If you have experienced any of the above, then you have been harassed and can sue a debt collector for violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). Don’t just take our word for it, visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to learn more about your rights.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) says debt collectors cannot harass, oppress, or abuse you or anyone else they contact. The FDCPA also states debt collectors cannot use false, deceptive, or misleading practices. This includes misrepresentations about the debt, including:
- The amount owed
- That the person is an attorney
- False threats to have you arrested
- Other threats to do things that cannot legally be done
- Threats to do things that the debt collector has no intention of doing
Harassment is when a creditor employs tactics to recover a debt that is against your rights as a consumer.
Tip: If a debt collector is harassing you, submit a complaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) online or by calling (855) 411-CFPB (2372). You can also contact your state’s Attorney General.
Tip: Keep good records of your communications with a debt collector.
Tip: The CFPB has prepared sample letters that you can use to respond to a debt collector who is trying to collect a debt along with tips on how to use them. The sample letters may help you to get information, set ground rules about any further communication, or protect some of your rights.
Tip: If you sue under the FDCPA and win, the debt collector must generally pay your attorney’s fees and may also have to pay you damages.
HAVE YOUR RIGHTS BEEN VIOLATED? GET HELP NOW
More DetailIf you are seeking the help of a legal professional to determine if your rights have been violated and you have suffered financially, call The Attorney Referral Network at 1-844-216-7863 to learn more about your legal rights and options.
REFERRAL AGENTS
Division of Consumer Services License And Complaint SearchAll Referral Agents are licensed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. To learn more about your Referral Agent please visit the Division of Consumer Services License and Complaint webpage.