Finding a Consumer Rights Attorney After Debt Collector Abuse

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If you’ve experienced debt collector harassment or creditor abuse, a consumer rights attorney may be able to assist you in seeking financial compensation.

Debt is a common part of most consumers’ lives. Between credit cards, student loans, mortgages, auto loans, and past-due medical bills, many consumers will find themselves in contact with a debt collector at least once in their life.

Although it is a debt collector’s job to seek payment for debts, harassment by a debt collector is illegal and prohibited by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).

Contact the consumer rights attorneys at McDonald Worley today for a free case review.

What is Debt Collector Harassment?

The FDCPA was passed to protect consumers from harassment and abusive behavior by debt collectors.

Under the FDCPA, debt collectors are required to identify themselves, notify consumers that they are debt collectors, give the name and address of the original creditor, notify consumer of their right to dispute a debt, provide verification of the debt, and file a lawsuit in a proper venue (should they have grounds).

In addition to requiring behavior, the FDCPA also prohibits behavior from debt collectors.

The FDCPA prohibits debt collectors from calling at unreasonable hours, continuous calling, failing to cease calling upon request, calling a consumer’s work, misrepresenting a debt, seeking unjustified amounts, threatening arrest or legal action, abusive language, reporting false info on a consumer’s credit report, and more.

Should you find yourself the victim of debt collector harassment, there are a series of steps to take to ensure the best outcome.

The first thing you should do is request in writing that a debt collector stop contacting you.

Debt collectors should be dealt with promptly, but if you plan to dispute the debt or file bankruptcy, a request that they stop contacting you is a good first step.

If the debt collectors do not comply with your written request, the second step is to keep a detailed record of all illegal behavior.

The next step would be to file a complaint. Consumer can file complaints with the Federal Trade Commission online or via mail.

You can also file a complaint with your state’s agency, the debt collection agency, and the original creditor. Some debt collectors will respond to complaints by offering to cancel the debt if you withdraw your complaint.

This protects debt collectors from liability and also avoids the next possible step: filing a debt collector lawsuit through a consumer rights attorney.

If all other options fail, and you believe you have a strong case, you may want to contact a consumer rights attorney and file a lawsuit against the harassing debt collector.

A consumer rights attorney would be able to examine your case, file it in the appropriate venue, and fight for your right to damages.

Under the FDCPA, consumers may be entitled to up to $1,000 simply because a debt collector has violated the law.

Additionally, if a consumer rights attorney can prove that you suffered from additional expenses such as changing a phone number, you may be able to collect additional damages.

If you are the victim of abusive debt collector behavior, you have options to protect yourself.

Your rights are protected by federal law and, should you contact a consumer rights attorney, you don’t have to take on debt collectors alone.

Contact the consumer rights attorneys at McDonald Worley today for a free case review.