Many people who have fallen into debt assume they are helpless against debt collection agencies. They assume these companies have a right to harass them at their leisure. The truth is that you have plenty of options when it comes to prudent debt relief.
One debt collection firm, ACM, based out of Australia, went to court and had to pay a fine for undue hardship placed over harassing phone calls. A consumer watchdog group took the firm to court due to seeking out unpaid debt in unfair manners from a single mother and a disabled man. You have options when it comes to seeking relief from such phone calls.
Speak with the collectors
When people know they owe a lot of money, they tend to stop answering the phone entirely. However, it works in your best interest to speak to the caller, at least once, to determine whether the collection is legitimate. Creditors can legally call you to collect a debt. Occasionally, you may have forgotten you had an account open with a bank or credit union, and understanding your financial situation is the first step to getting out of it.
Understand your rights
Collectors need to follow strict laws when it comes to speaking with individuals. For example, callers cannot use abusive language or threaten to have you arrested. They also cannot contact your family members or close friends to get to you. If a caller crosses a line, do not hesitate to seek out legal help.
Beware of “zombie” or “phantom” debt
One practice that happens more often than most people realize is debt collectors may mix people up. You may have the same name as someone who owes a lot of debt. If that is the case, then you need to fix the mix-up immediately. You also need to be wary of callers trying to collect a debt you already paid off.
*Disclaimer – Attorney Advertising. Under Federal Law, we have been designated a Debt Relief Agency and we help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code. This information is not intended as legal advice and no attorney-client relationship is created. Results may vary. Results not guaranteed. Dramatization – not actual clients in pictures and videos. Thomas C. McBride,attorney in Alexandria, LA.