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Feeling strapped for cash and falling behind on monthly bills is not a fun experience. Debt issues can be hard to manage. And a collection call from a persistent creditor can makes a challenging financial situation all the more stressful.
The good news? You've got rights, and lots of them --- thanks to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. This federal law sets down a specific set of rules that third-party debt collectors must follow when contacting you about a debt. Debts covered under this law include auto loans, medical bills and credit card bills.
Here are 10 important rules that a debt collector must follow when contacting you about an unpaid bill.
A debt collector may not call you before 9am or after 8pm unless you agree to the call. Whatever debt you may owe, you still have the right to a quiet morning and a quiet evening. So if debt collector tries to reach you early in the morning or late in the evening, politely refuse the call.
Debt collectors may not contact you at work if they know your employer disapproves of such calls. So make it clear to a debt collector straight away that calls at work are unacceptable.
Debt collectors may not harass you by calling numerous times a day about an unpaid bill.
A debt collector may not use threatening or profane language when contacting you about a debt. A debt collector may not falsely imply that you have committed a crime by failing to pay a bill.
A debt collector may contact people that know you, but only to find out your address, your phone number, and where you work. In most cases, a debt collector may not tell anyone other than you or your attorney that you owe money.
A debt collector may not demand more money from you than you actually owe.
A debt collector may not threaten to have you arrested if you do not pay your debt. Debt collectors may not threaten to sue you, unless they actually intend to file a lawsuit.
Within five days of contacting you, a debt collector must send you a written notice telling you the amount of money you owe and the name of the creditor. This notice also must explain what actions to take if you believe you do not owe the money.
A debt collector must cease contact with you if you send a letter requesting that the debt collector do so. Send this letter within 30 days of receiving the written notice that details the debt being collected. If you believe you do not owe the money, you may state this in your letter. Be aware that a legitimate debt will not go away simply because the collection calls stop. You could still be sued by the debt collector or your original creditor for the amount that you owe.
Debt collectors must verify any debt that you dispute in writing prior to renewing collection calls. Once a debt collector sends you proof of the debt, such as a copy of a bill for the amount owed, collections activities may resume.
These are some of the most important consumer rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Simply informing a debt collector that you are aware of these rights may curb any errant collection behavior.
If a debt collector breaks any of these rules when contacting you about a debt, feel free to report the debt collector to your state attorney general office or the Federal Trade Commission. Many states have their own collection laws and a debt collector who violates the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act may be violating state collection laws as well. Your state attorney general's office will be able to inform of your rights.
The Consumer Action website from the Federal Citizen Information Center includes links to state and local consumer protection agencies around the country, including state attorney general offices.
You may also report any problems you encounter with a particular debt collector to the Federal Trade Commission by visiting ftc.gov or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC doesn't resolve individual consumer complaints, but it does enter each complaint it receives into an online database used by law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and around the world.
For help with handling collection calls, you may want to contact an attorney. Once you hire an attorney, a debt collection agency must contact your attorney and not you.
LawHelp.org connects low- and moderate-income people with free legal aid programs in their communities. And a consumer guide from the American Bar Association, provides a directory of legal resources available in each state.
You may be able to find an attorney experienced with debt collection through the National Association of Consumer Advocates. This non-profit association of attorneys and consumer advocates has members throughout the country.
Remember the very first person who must stand up for your debt collection rights is you. So don't let a debt collector intimidate you or harass you with unfair and illegal tactics. Dealing with a debt collector who plays by the rules may be a stressful experience as well. If you need specific assistance and advice, contact an attorney.
Lucy Lazarony is a freelance personal finance writer.
Her articles have been featured on Bankrate, MoneyRates, MSN Money, and The National Endowment for Financial Education. Prior to freelancing, she worked as a staff writer for Bankrate for seven years. She earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Florida and spent a summer as an international intern at Richmond, The American International University in London. She lives in South Florida.
