Sometimes people fall behind in paying their bills. When the debts go unpaid, creditors seek recovery of the debt . . . plus interest. It is not pleasant. Although debts are required to be repaid, and debt collectors may legally attempt to recover the debt, there are limits to the behavior of debt collectors. Here are some of the ways that debt collectors could be violating a federal law governing debt collection, called the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act.
1. Calling you before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m.
2. Continued collection communication attempts after receiving a written notice from you to stop.
3. Failing to disclose that the communication is from a debt collector.
4. Contacting you after knowing that you are represented by an attorney.
5. Telling others about your debt.
6. Calling you at work when the debt collector knows that your employer does not approve.
7. Demanding that you pay more than you owe.
8. Demanding that you pay interest, fees or costs not allowed by law.
9. Calling repeatedly to harass you.
10. Calling you during times that you told the debt collector were inconvenient.
11. Failing to send a written debt validation notice.
12. Ignoring your verification of the debt request.
13. Threatening to take action that the debt collector cannot take.
14. Harassing family and friends about your location.
15. Suing you in the wrong court.These are common violations. If you believe that a debt collector has violated one of these restrictions, document everything and contact Harmony Law immediately.