Receiving Incorrect Debt Collection Calls? Here’s What You Need To Know

No one likes to receive debt collection calls.  When a collection organization contacts you, you have rights that debt collectors should know and acknowledge in the way they reach out to you. If they violate the law, you could sue them for that action. Debt collection calls are especially irritating when collectors mistakenly ring your phone looking for someone else.

If you’re getting debt collector calls that aren’t for your individual debt, this can also lead to legal action. It’s increasingly common to get debt collection calls that aren’t for you and you should know your rights if this happens to you.

Receiving Debt Collection Calls

More people are dealing with inaccurate collection calls because so many people use cell phones. Those numbers get transferred around, so you might wind up on the receiving end of calls for the person who had the number before you. This doesn’t mean you should have to deal with the fallout of someone else’s debts, however.

Unfortunately, just telling the debt collector to leave you alone sometimes is not enough. Many times these collectors will keep reaching out to you even though you’ve said the debt isn’t yours and that you don’t know the person they’re trying to reach. You can also try sending a cease and desist letter as a formal way to address the mistake.

Debt Collection Rules to Know

Collectors can’t do whatever they want in their efforts to collect on a debt. There are certain laws they must follow when trying to communicate about a debt and as a consumer you should know these laws and how to respond clearly and effectively when you think they have crossed the line.

Once you send a cease and desist letter, they need to stop contacting you. They can reach out one final time but not after that. You can also file a complaint with the government, but this doesn’t compensate you for any losses or harassment from their frustrating efforts to keep calling you.

If you’re being harassed, threatened, or you are being contacted at all hours of the night, this is a violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. You will want to keep a record of all the times this happens and your efforts to tell them to stop. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act also prohibits debt collection agencies from repeatedly calling your number looking to collect on a different person’s debt.

Another debt collection guideline is that they can’t call you repeatedly if they have the wrong number and you have asked them to stop contacting you. Most debt collectors, however, will keep calling because they might assume you’re not telling the truth about who you are. If they continue to call and you’ve made multiple requests to stop, there are legal options available to you such as filing a lawsuit.

Debt Collection Law Violation

If a company has committed a debt collection law violation, the responsibility is on you as the individual to step up and report this concern. You do have the right and ability to hold the company accountable for a violation if you have evidence that they have stepped outside of the law in an effort to recover money.

If you are receiving repeated wrong number calls from a debt collection agency and have reported that you want these calls to stop, you can consult with a lawyer about your situation. You might be entitled to pursue compensation and stop this irritating and invasive behavior by taking legal action. Debt collection laws are there to protect you and Top Class Actions can connect you with a qualified attorney.

Join a ‘Wrong Number’ Robocall TCPA Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you received cellphone calls meant for someone else, you may qualify to participate in a wrong number class action lawsuit investigation, and you may be entitled to compensation under a federal law called the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”).

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.