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Many consumers have never encountered a debt collector. Some may be fearful or reluctant to take a debt collector's call or read letters about credit card debts they owe. Experts say consumers should face the facts and deal with debt collectors, but also Can a debt collector call you repeatedly at work if your boss doesn't allow it? Falsely threaten to sue you or take your house if you don't pay up on old credit card bills? The answer to both questions: not legally.
"Knowledge is power. An educated consumer is a better consumer," says Gail Cunningham, spokeswoman for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, a nationwide group of nonprofit credit counseling agencies. The first place to look for answers on what is and isn't allowed when debt collectors come calling is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The federal law, enacted in 1977 to curb abuses by third-party debt collection agencies, carries protections against harassment, threats, unwanted calls to the workplace and disclosing the existence of debts to friends and neighbors know and understan(Purchase and Download the printable PDF forms below to deal with a debt collector) d their rights and protections.
Cease contact and harassment letter
Cease Communication
Validation of debt request |
