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Fair Debt Collection Practices Article
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Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: Dealing with Abusive Debt Collectors
In an effort to make you pay, some debt collectors may resort to unethical means. They may falsely threaten you with law suits or repossessions. They may call you incessantly or use derogatory language that will embarrass and humiliate you. However, these things don’t have to happen. The United States actually has a Fair Debt Collection Practices Act that protects individuals from the abusive behavior of debt collectors.
In the first place, why do debt collectors find it easy to violate the Fair Debt Collection Practice Act? Actually, the answer is quite simple. Debt collectors take advantage of people’s ignorance. If you don’t know the law and you’re not familiar with the provisions of the Fair Debt Collection Practice Act, you won’t know what rights you have against these debt collectors. If the debtor is ignorant, the debt collector can manipulate him easily. Without the necessary information, debtors will not know how to fight back against debt collectors who harass him.
Another reason is that while abusive behavior is common, it may be hard to prove. Oftentimes, debtors have difficulty providing evidence that clearly shows that the debt collectors went beyond their limitations and violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. In order to help your cause, it is advisable that you keep copies of every single document that you and your debt collector exchanged.
Lastly, the Fair Debt Collection Practice Act has several loopholes. So, if the debt collector makes some violations, he can simply close his office only to reopen later, under a new name.
Once you are sure that your debt collector violated the Fair Debt Collection Practice Act, here are the steps you should take:
1) Notify the debt collector of the violation you observed. In a formal letter, cite the provision of the Fair Debt Collection Practice Act that was violated. Include details of the event like the date, time, place as well as other circumstances regarding the violation. Make sure you ask for a receipt that proves that the debt collector has indeed received your complaint.
2) If you find it necessary, you can mail another letter to ask the debt collector to stop calling or visiting you.
3) File a formal complaint at the Federal Trade Commission or the FTC. The FTC is the body that is responsible for regulating the activities of debt collection agencies. Filing a complaint is easy, just log on to www.ftc.gov and you can accomplish an online form.
4) Go to your State Attorney General and report your debt collector’s abusive behavior. The Secretary General will have the case processed and investigated.
If you have enough evidence, approach your lawyer and consider filing a lawsuit against that collection agency.
Remember, the Fair Debt Collection Practice Act is there to support you. However, it is only useful when you have enough knowledge about it.
Fair Debt Collection Practices Specific links
Fair Debt Collection Practices News
Fair Debt Collection Reform Bill Re-Introduced by Barney Frank - InsideARM
 InsideARM | Fair Debt Collection Reform Bill Re-Introduced by Barney Frank InsideARM Thursday introduced another bill that would amend the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) to specifically exempt debt collectors from liability when using approved language in voice mails and messages. The bill's (HR 5794) purpose, as officially ... |
Luebke Baker & Associates, FTC Settle For Collecting On Fake Debts - Huffington Post
 The Consumerist (blog) | Luebke Baker & Associates, FTC Settle For Collecting On Fake Debts Huffington Post Luebke Baker will now stop faking debts that do not exist and will tell consumers their rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The FTC alleges that debt collectors at Luebke Baker frequently pretended that they were attorneys or worked ... FTC settles with debt collectors over bogus magazine payments Fake debt scam surfaces in Upson County Know your rights when dealing with a debt collector |
Mike Ginsberg: First Quarter ARM Legal, Legislative and Regulatory Climate ... - InsideARM
 InsideARM | Mike Ginsberg: First Quarter ARM Legal, Legislative and Regulatory Climate ... InsideARM Barney Frank introduced HR 4101, The Fair Debt Collection Practices Clarification Act of 2012. This bill seeks to amend the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to exempt a debt collector from liability when leaving certain voice mail messages for a ... |
Bad News for Most Debt Collectors and Good News for Consumers - Huffington Post
 InsideARM | Bad News for Most Debt Collectors and Good News for Consumers Huffington Post Also in 1978, Congress enacted a debt-collection law known as the FDCPA, or "Fair Debt Collection Practices Act," which we're still working under today, 34 years later. Hemlines have changed a zillion times since then, but our debt-collection laws have ... How to Protect Yourself From Criminal Debt Collectors |
Fake Debt Scam Reaching Upson County - LoanSafe
 eCreditDaily.com | Fake Debt Scam Reaching Upson County LoanSafe (MCT) — A fake debt collection scam that the Federal Trade Commission is already looking into has made its way to Thomaston, and one woman who is fighting back wants others to be aware of the scam. The woman, an employee of Upson Regional Medical ... Debt Collection Scheme Eyed Magazine Subscriptions: FTC |