Credit Harassment

You may experience credit harassment if you are at the point where your creditors have turned your accounts over to collection agencies. Collection agencies have limitations while attempting to collect debts. Credit harassment takes place when collection agencies call your office, call your home before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., make false or misleading statements, (such as threatening to sue when they have no intentions to do so), call family or friends in attempt to collect your debt, speak to you in a verbally abusive manner, or add unauthorized charges. A Collection agency may contact you by phone. However, they must send a written notice within five days telling you the amount of the debt you owe, the name of the creditor that you owe the money to, and what to do if you do not owe the money.

Collection agencies are prohibited from depositing a postdated check, before it is due. They are also prohibited to contact you by postcard.

The Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDPCA) limits how collection agencies proceed in collecting debts. The FDPCA does not include original creditors, it only covers bill collectors that work for a collection agency.

If you have been violated under the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you have the right to sue. However, there is a one year period from the date the collection agency has violated the law, that you can file suit. You should act promptly, if you feel you have been violated, and contact an attorney.