Credit card debt is one of the worst kinds of debt because it grows quickly and exponentially with interest increments. When this debt goes unpaid for a long enough time, it is typically purchased by debt collection agencies, which are separate entities from the credit card companies with which you opened your account.
Three to six months after defaulting on your payments, your unpaid debt is sent to a debt collection agency, where it becomes one of two types of debt depending on how it got to that agency. If the creditor hangs on to the debt and yet simultaneously sends it to a collection agency with a contract, this is called an assigned debt. If the creditor sells the debt to a collection agency, this is considered a purchased debt.
Regardless, you will start hearing from the collection agency as soon as that debt is passed on. If the agency believes there is a chance of collecting that debt from you, you risk putting yourself in the position of experiencing collection harassment.
Three major statutes protect consumers against credit card harassment and abusive debt collection practices:
The FDCPA is a federal act that requires third-party debt collectors to comply with specific rules and behaviors when collecting a debt. Under this federal act, consumers have the right to sue debt collectors who have illegally harassed or abused them for monetary compensation.
This federal law regulates original credit card companies and debt collectors who use an automated telephone dialing system or robocalls to call a consumer’s cell phone without consent. This statute entitles consumers who receive unauthorized robocalls to compensation of up to $1,500 per call.
This statute provides consumers with additional protection from debt collection harassment by regulating any “person” attempting to collect consumers’ debt. The FCCPA applies its laws to third-party debt collectors and original creditors, while the FDCPA only regulates third-party debt collectors.
There are several key things a collection agency can do that are considered unethical in the realm of debt collection. These actions involve insistent and abusive behaviors that you are legally protected against.
Here are some of the main things unlawful debt collectors will do to try and collect your debt:
If you believe any of these apply to you, don’t hesitate to call our collection harassment attorney at 1(844)-JIBRAEL.
If you have a legitimate claim against a debt collector, you may be eligible to recover actual damages, statutory damages, and attorney’s fees.
Actual damages: This compensation encompasses lost wages, harm to your credit
report, emotional distress, and other losses that the abusive creditors and
debt collectors cost you.
Statutory damages: This includes compensation you will receive just because
the debt collector violated your legal rights. Under the FDCPA, you can
receive up to $1,000 for debt collection harassment. According to the TCPA,
you can earn up to $1,500 for every robocall.
Attorney’s fees: If your suit succeeds, the FDCPA authorizes the repayment of
all attorney’s fees.
If you have been suffering harassment by abusive debt collectors, you may have a legal remedy, and our credit card harassment attorneys are here to assist. At The Law Offices Of Jibrael S. Hindi, we make creditors and debt collectors pay for violating your legal rights as a consumer. In many cases, we can also have the debt completely eliminated. As seasoned credit card harassment attorneys, we’re passionate about defending you against companies who violate the law and securing the compensation that you deserve. Give our office a call today to make credit card harassment go away. Remember, when you’re being harassed by debt collectors, those collectors must pay your attorney fees. To schedule a free consultation with a knowledgeable credit card harassment lawyer, call 1-844-JIBRAEL or complete a contact form.
Get In Touch With UsHonor. Integrity. Care.
