subject: Debt Collection Laws Are Truly There To Protect You – Especially If You're Disabled [print this page] Debt Collection Laws Are Truly There To Protect You Especially If You're Disabled
Dealing with creditors can be stressful, but there are state and federal debt collection laws that protect you from abusive behavior from debt collectors.
How? Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, a federal law, if a collection agency breaks the law when dealing with you, they could be required to pay you $1000 or more in damages. And if you sue them successfully, they'll also have to pay your attorney fees.
There are a number of things that debt collectors are not allowed to do according to debt collection laws. These include:
* Harassing you.
* Using profane or abusive language.
* Verbally abusing you because you can't pay your bills.
* Calling you repeatedly to put pressure on you.
* Refusing to verify your debt or to send you written information about the debt.
* Threatening to go after certain benefits such as disability benefits if you don't pay your debt.
* Inflating the amount you owe with questionable fees or interest charges.
* Telling you that you could be arrested if you don't pay your debts.
* Discussing your debt with anyone other than your attorney, spouse, or someone who has co-signed a debt with you.
* Saying that if you don't pay your debt, your credit could be ruined forever.
A debt collector who does any of the things on this list is breaking a federal debt collection law, and you have a legal right to sue them.
If you believe that a bill collector has broken the law, it's best to contact an attorney right away: you only have one year to sue a debt collector who has violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Other state and federal debt collection laws may also have a time constraint, so it's best not to delay talking to an attorney.
If you do decide to contact an attorney, it's important to find the right one. Be sure to talk to an attorney who has experience dealing with debt collectors and debt collection laws. If you're looking for an attorney, there are sources available to help:
* Attorneys who are members of the National Association of Consumer Advocates represent consumers in consumer law cases such as debt collection cases.
* The Collection Complaint Hotline offers a free and confidential consultation with attorneys who deal with debt collectors.
You can use these resources to find an attorney to take on your case. Some will take it on a contingent fee basis, which means that they don't get paid unless they win your case. However, some won't so always ask upfront how much the attorney will charge for a consultation.
Remember, debt collection laws are there to protect you, so make them work for you!
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