When dealing with a heap of debt, the last thing you need on top of that is even more external stress. Unfortunately, this is exactly what people dealing with debt collectors often get. Some debt collectors even cross the line, harassing or intimidating you in their attempts to collect.
To this end, knowing about the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act would do you well. After all, this act can protect you from overzealous, unscrupulous creditors and their harmful actions.
Protection against misrepresentation
The Federal Trade Commission takes a look at the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, an act intended to prevent debt collectors from taking advantage of those they collect from. Under this act – the FDCPA – creditors cannot legally harass you or misrepresent themselves. Both of these categories hold a large number of potential actions and behaviors.
Regarding misrepresentation, this can include virtually any way a debt collector might lie or misconstrue the truth in order to get you to pay your debts. This can include a collector pretending they have law enforcement on their side when they do not, or pretending they have legal expertise or are a lawyer when that is not true.
What is harassment?
Harassing behaviors run a wide gamut and can include everything from physical threats to your well-being to calling you throughout the night without leaving identifying voice messages. It can even include all forms of a verbal threat, such as threats of harm or threats of eviction.
If you face such threats, consider contacting an attorney. They can help you decide what to do next and other ways the FDCPA may work for you.
