3 ways creditors violate your rights as a consumer

We have often discussed the significant emotional toll debt can take on people all across Fort Lauderdale. It can undoubtedly be scary and stressful, putting enormous pressure on people and their relationships.

To make matter worse, there are debt collectors who will sink to some very aggressive and potentially unlawful measures to try and get people to pay money they may or may not owe. People can be scared to answer the phone or check the mail and they can even be scared that their employer will find out about their debt problems. If you are in this position, you need to know your rights when it comes to creditors and what action you can take to get them to stop harassing you.

Creditor behaviors are controlled by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act which specifies what collection agents can and cannot do when contacting or attempting to collect debt from consumers. There are numerous stipulations addressed in the FDCPA, but a few rules that are often broken by collection agents address when a person can be contacted, the type of language an agent can use and making false statements about a debt or potential consequences.

• Contacting consumers: Debt collectors are prohibited from calling a person at a time known to be inconvenient or in a way meant to harass or annoy the person. In some cases, collectors cannot contact people at their place of employment or speak to any other parties about the debt in question. Attempts to contact the person must stop if the person files bankruptcy.
• Language: Collection agents cannot use language meant to intimidate or threaten consumers. This includes using profane language or threats to a person’s reputation or property.
• False statements: It is unlawful for an agent to lie to you about your debt or the consequences of non-payment. Agents cannot misrepresent themselves or knowingly withhold information from you about the debt in question.

If you believe you are being harassed by creditors, it can be crucial to speak with a lawyer to learn more about your rights as a consumer and what you can do to put a stop to abusive, intimidating conduct.