A debt collector is often aggressive and threatening when pursuing consumers’ debts. Understanding your rights in cases like these can help you manage your debts and avoid getting victimized by debt collectors.
Continue reading to learn how you can deal with debt collectors effectively.
1. Don’t Give In to Pressure
Before settling a debt, make sure that you understand the contract terms. Having a clear understanding can help you avoid getting into a debt trap. Most people with debts are ashamed of their situation, and debt collectors usually prey on people’s pain points to get them to pay their debts.
Don’t give the collector personal details, such as your address or phone number. One payment can be a small gesture to acknowledge the debt, but it can also have legal repercussions. Generally, making a payment past the due date can result in wage garnishment.
2. Be Vigilant
When creditors sell a portion of their assets to a third party, they often fail to record all the transaction details. In 2016, over 80,000 complaints were filed against debt collection agencies. The majority of these were due to consumers being asked to pay debts they didn’t owe.
To avoid getting lured into paying fraudulent debts, send a validation letter to the collection agency. It should contain all the details needed to dispute the situation. Follow this advice and keep track of all debt details, including the past payments. You can also use certified mail to send these letters.
3. Know Your Rights
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is a great resource for consumers. It shields them from abusive tactics and predatory collection agencies.
The Act limits the communication time that debt collectors have to reach debtors. Collectors are also prohibited from using unfair practices such as threats or harassment. They cannot tell you a false debt amount, threaten to arrest you, or misrepresent themselves. If the situation has not been resolved, then you have a right to challenge the debt. After 30 days, the collector can still seek payment.
You can check with your local attorney general for additional consumer protection and file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau you feel like your rights have been infringed.
Learn about the various consumer protection agencies and laws that apply to the debt collection process. Don’t hesitate to ask for more information about the debt or contact a collection agency if you have a consumer rights issue.
4. Contact American Debt Enders to Get the Best Representation
Many debt collectors violate the rules set up in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act in their attempt to collect debts.
At American Debt Enders, we believe that all legal services should be provided to our clients at no additional cost. This is why we offer various legal services that can help address any harassment or dispute that they might be subjected to. Our team of diversely experienced individuals specializes in unsecured debt validation, debt resolution, and debt counseling services.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act prohibits abusive and deceptive practices in collecting debts. This law requires debt collectors to provide detailed information about their debts within five days of communicating with you. However, many companies often violate this requirement. To ensure your rights are intact against illegitimate collection, read more about how we can help or call us at +1-877-766-2465 for a thorough discussion.