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Not all debt collectors heed the provisions laid out by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and if you have been targeted by an unscrupulous debt collector, you have rights. At The Weitz Firm, LLC, our Norristown debt collection harassment attorney is ready to serve as a staunch advocate, standing up for your right to be treated respectfully and fairly by debt collectors.

What is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)?

The FDCPA is a federal law put into place to protect consumers from unfair or abusive debt collectors and debt collection agencies. In passing the FDCPA into law, Congress found that abuse, deception, and unfair practice among debt collectors lead to job loss, personal bankruptcy, invasion of privacy, and marital issues. Despite its existence, though, there were more than 75,000 complaints of debt collection abuse in 2019, according to the Consumer Financial Bureau (CFB).

In addition to establishing the ethical guidelines to which collection agencies are legally required to adhere, the FDCPA also provides consumers with a means to challenge demands for payment and establish the accuracy and validity of debts.

Essentially, the law governs how, when, and with what frequency a third-party debt collector may communicate with a debtor. Furthermore, it limits who the debt collector can contact in regard to the debt. Debt collectors who are found to be in violation of the FDCPA may be ordered to pay damages and legal fees to the debtor.

FDCPA Violations

Consumers are often unaware of the protections provided to them under the FDCPA. Some of the most commonly seen examples of FDCPA violations include:

  • Unethical or illegal tactics for communicating with debtors. The use of threats, obscene language and other tactics is prohibited under FDCPA rules.
  • Threats of illegal action. It is sometimes the case that debt collectors threaten the debtor with legal actions when the debt being collected is actually too old to collect, due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. Some debt collectors threaten consumers with incarceration, wage garnishment, and seizure of their homes or property.
  • Falsely representing themselves. A debt collection agency cannot falsely state or imply that it is a law firm.
  • Calling excessively. Calling several times in a row or calling several times a day in an attempt to collect a debt is not allowed under FDCPA rules.
  • Sharing information without the debtor’s permission. A debt collector cannot call your relatives, for example, and tell them that you owe a debt.

Our Norristown Debt Collection Harassment Attorney Wants to Help

Contrary to the actions of many unscrupulous debt collectors and debt collection agencies, there are stiff penalties for those who attempt to sidestep consumer protection laws when collecting past-due debt, whether it’s credit card debt, student loans, car loans, or other types of debt. If you have been the focus of harassment or intimidation by a debt collector, you have options. You may be able to collect compensation for the damages caused by the debt collector. Get in touch with the Norristown debt collection harassment attorney at The Weitz Firm, LLC for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling 267-587-6240.

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