If debt collector calls are getting you down, rest assured that there are ways to stop them from contacting you. Thanks to the Federal Trade Commission, acts have been put in place to protect you from abusive practices that can leave you feeling more threatened than excited about paying off an old credit card balance.
Why Are Debt Collectors Often Abusive?
You’re probably wondering why collection agencies choose abusive tactics instead of nicely asking for their money. The main reason is that they know they can get away with whatever it takes to collect a debt. For instance, they know:
- Many people are uninformed when it comes to collection laws.
- There are legal loopholes that allow collection agencies conducting illegal activities to quickly close and reopen under different names.
- It’s not easy to prove or prosecute their behavior unless you record it, which most people don’t do because they don’t know they’re being abused.
Putting a Stop to Debt Collector Calls
If you’re tired of abusive debt collector calls and want to put a stop to them, here are a few things you can do:
- Request that they not contact you by phone. The first step in the process is very simple. By verbally requesting (according to the FDCPA script) that they not contact by phone to collect a debt, they are supposed to comply.
- Quote Fair Practices act. If the collection agency refuses to comply with your request, your next step is to quote the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, which requires that they stop phoning your home or work then let them know you will send a certified letter to them with the same no-contact request. Also, let them know you will complain to the FTC and attorney general if they continue to call.
It’s good to keep in mind that the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act does not apply to original creditors. So if your credit card company is calling you, you don’t want to quote the FDCPA script. Instead, you can find a copy of your state’s law regarding phone calls from original creditors. The good news is that by state law, you still can request that they not contact you by phone. If you feel a debt collector’s call is unfair or abusive, it’s important to exercise your rights. There’s nothing worse than succumbing to an agency desperate to collect a debt.
Photo Source: The U.S. National Archives