Harassing Collection Calls

Consumers call our law firm with many questions about debt collectors.  Frequently,
consumers ask what to do about harassing debt collection
calls.  Here is the answer:

1.  Find out who is calling you. 

• Pick up the phone and ask the caller for the name of the caller
  and their location.
• Write down the number on your caller identification. 
  Either call back the number or Google it. 
• Look in your mail.  Are you getting collection
  notices? 
• Read your credit report.  Do you have any outstanding debt
  or debt that is in default?  Your credit report must report
  correctly.  The Fair Credit
  Reporting Act requires those that report to report with
  “maximum possible accuracy.” If they fail to do so, and fail to
  take notice of your complaint into the inaccuracy of their
  reporting, you may be able to dispute the credit report error and
  recover your losses.
• If you view your report and find errors, this needs to be
  disputed immediately and in a specific fashion.  See our detailed
  instructions on our website or call an attorney
  today at no cost.  
   

2.  Keep of log of the calls and save all voicemail
messages.  For a collector to be violating your
rights under the
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), it is necessary to
know what the collector is doing and/or saying.  Some
violations include:

• Call before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. or at any time or that
  they are given notice that it is inconvenient to call .
• Tell other people (friends, family, co-workers) about the fact
  that a debt is owed.
• Call the consumer’s place of employment if they have been
  advised that calls cannot be accepted at work. 
• Use any profane language or any language that is harassing and
  abusive 
• Engage in any conduct, the natural consequence of which is to
  harass, abuse or oppress. 
• Make any misrepresentations of fact, such as how much is owed,
  or certain actions they may take to force payment
• Threaten arrest or criminal prosecution 
• Send false information to the credit bureaus 
• Cause a telephone to ring an unreasonable amount of
  times 
    

3.  Be careful about scam collection
agencies.  It is easy for bogus collection companies
to get information about a consumer and past debts from various
sources.  If you get contacted by a collector who threatens
arrest or demands payments ASAP to avoid arrest, demand that the
collector send you proof of the debt.  Never provide personal
or financial information over the phone.  This includes your
social security number and your bank account information. 

4.  Contact an attorney at SmithMarco for a free case
review.  Our law firm has been protecting consumers
since 2005.   If you have a case under the FDCPA, 
we can help you earn up to $1000 for violations.  Also, we can
help answer questions about collections, disputing debts and other
consumer-related issues.  Call to speak
with an attorney or check out our website for useful
information.  Our goal is to protect consumer rights. 
Don’ t delay, contact us today!