Stop Debt Collection Harassment

If you don't have the money to pay your bills, debt collectors will start calling you, sending you letters and attempting to collect the amount you owe. Although the law allows debt collectors to contact you when you owe money, certain consumer rights still apply when you deal with a debt collector. Under federal law, debt collectors must treat you with respect and courtesy. For example, debt collectors cannot contact you when it is inconvenient. In most cases, this means that the debt collector cannot call after nine at night or before eight in the morning. Debt collectors must also avoid contacting you at work if you have notified them that your employer doesn't allow it.

If you hire an attorney to represent you with regard to the debts you owe, debt collectors must contact your attorney instead of you. Debt collectors cannot abuse, harass or threaten you when you owe a debt. Furthermore, consumer rights prohibit debt collectors from misleading you or lying to you about your debt. Finally, debt collectors must follow strict rules when it comes to wage garnishment. Most debt collectors need a court order before they can garnish your wages, and the amount of the garnishment cannot exceed certain limits imposed by federal and state laws.

If you believe a debt collector has violated your consumer rights, you can file a lawsuit against the debt collector and attempt to collect damages. In such cases, it's wise to hire a consumer law attorney to represent you in court. Assistance from a consumer law attorney will greatly increase your chances of success against the debt collector.

Even if a debt collector has not violated your consumer rights, there are still actions you can take to stop debt collection calls and letters. For example, if the debt collector's calls have become a nuisance, you can ask the collector to stop calling. If you send the request in writing, the debt collector must stop all contact with you immediately, unless he is informing you that he plans to file a lawsuit. Likewise, if a debt collector obtains a court order to garnish your wages and you feel that the amount of the garnishment is too high, you can request a hearing to modify or cancel the garnishment. Regardless of your situation, you should consider hiring a consumer law attorney to help you deal with debt collection harassment more effectively. To learn a few tips on how to find a reputable attorney click here.

Last Modified: Friday, March 22, 2013