In my post Are You Being Sued for Your Debt?, I started with “Forget about the phone calls and aggressive communication tactics…” After I wrote that post it seems like I was a magnet for a series of debt collector abuse articles online. Contrary to the way my post may have read, debt collector abuse should not be taken lightly whether you’re being sued or not.
Debt collector harassment is a serious matter. Know your rights and stop debt collector abuse.
What are your debt collection rights?
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has outlined your consumer rights as they relate to debt collectors. After all, the FTC receives the most consumer complaints for debt collector practices. The more you know about what they can and cannot do the better. Click here for the FTC’s Debt Collection Facts for Consumers.
If your debt collection rights have been violated:
- Report it to your state Attorney General’s office and file a complaint with the FTC
- You have the right to sue the debt collector for violating debt collector laws in pursuing you
Debt collectors gone wrong…
Here are some articles that highlight debt collector harassment and abuse tactics:
- Confessions of former debt collectors – Eye-opening confessions from real people who worked as debt collectors. After reading this, I can see why some people feel muscled into paying debt they don’t even owe — to stop the calls. Although that’s not the right answer.
- Vulgar voicemails force debt collector to pay $1.5 million. In this case, the jury awarded Allen Jones $1.5 million dollars in punitive damages and $50,000 for mental anguish. And the actual debt the debt collector was pursuing Jones for amounted to less than $200.
- Woman sues debt collector over husband’s death – I remember reading about this disturbing case last year.
What are your thoughts about debt collector abuse tactics? Please share them using comments.
Photo: dbking
