Whether it’s student loans, credit cards, or that payday loan you still owe money on, debt collectors don’t discriminate. If you’re overdue on a payment, debt collectors will call endlessly on behalf of their clients to money owed. Despite their exuberance, debt collectors cannot call without being checked by legislation like the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), a landmark legislation by the Federal Trade Commission, which sets regulations on how debt collectors can contact consumers on behalf of their clients.
While debt collectors have the right to contact a debtor in regard to settling an outstanding debt, violating the FDCPA can leave them vulnerable to legal action. This is where an experienced debt harassment lawyer in Florida can step in to fight to stop harassing debt practices.
In terms of the limits imposed upon debt collectors, the FDCPA is explicitly clear. While it is limited in scope, it does provide a solid baseline for protecting consumers from harassing debt collection practices.
Debt collectors have to conform to the following rules or face possible legal action:
Limited speech- Debt collectors can’t speak freely to consumers. Obscene or vulgar language is prohibited, along with language that makes explicit threats of violence. They also can’t use the phone to repeatedly call with the intention of being annoying or disruptive.
They cannot tell a lie- Debt collectors cannot lie, deceive, or misrepresent the purpose of their call. They also can’t pretend to be lawyers or legal representatives.
Must play fair- Unfair debt practices like depositing post-dated checks or threaten to take your property unless through legal means.
Limited time- Debt collectors can’t call whenever they want. They cannot call prior to 8 A.M., and they cannot call you after 9 P.M., unless you agree to continue with the call.
All work, no play- If you’re at work, debt collectors can’t call you there unless given express permission. Calling consumers at work is strictly off limits for the most part.
While these are just a few of the rules debt collectors have to follow, it doesn’t stop many debt collectors from overstepping their boundaries. Just as they can’t call you whenever they want, they can’t speak to you however they want, either. If you no longer wish to be contacted by a debt collector, you have options at your disposal to make them stop.
If you feel the calls from debt collectors are overbearing or may be in violation of the above-listed FDCPA parameters, you can tell debt collectors to stop.
By sending a certified letter to the debt collector’s address, upon receipt, they can only contact you for two of the following reasons:
If contact persists for any other reason, it’s a violation of the FDCPA. Don’t continue to let persistent and violating calls disrupt your family life. It’s time to take legal action.
Don’t let debt collectors continue to harass you and your family. While the FDCPA and similar legislation are intended to stop harassing calls, telemarketers still overstep their boundaries. When they cross the line, that’s when the debt harassment attorneys at the Law Offices of Jibrael S. Hindi step in to help. With a debt harassment lawyer, we can help make the calls stop and see if you’re eligible for compensation worth upwards of $1,000.
Our team has extensive experience defending clients against debt harassment and we can do the same for you. To schedule a free consultation, call us at 1-844-542-7235 or complete our online contact form.