Twenty years ago, and earlier, debt collector harassment was way out of control.Thousands of victims (debtors who were delinquent on their debts) were subjected to various forms of stressful, upsetting, and horrible treatment on behalf of debt collectors trying to harass them into resolving their debts.
While this abuse has been fiercely addressed by the federal government, it still happens every day, especially when rogue debt collectors refuse to obey the law. “But what is debt collector harassment?”
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau explains it like this: “Harassment by a debt collector can come in different forms but examples include repetitious phone calls intended to annoy or abuse, obscene language, and threats of violence.”
Some examples of debt collector harassment include:
- Continuous phone calls to the debtor that are intended to upset, harass, or annoy the person who answers the phone.
- Use of profane language.
- Use of obscene language.
- Threats to hurt the debtor.
- Calling the debtor without telling them who they are.
- Threatening the debtor’s reputation.
If a debt collector has harassed, annoyed, or threatened you, trust us, you are NOT alone. According to Section 802 of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, “There is abundant evidence of the use of abusive, deceptive, and unfair debt collection practices by many debt collectors. Abusive practices contribute to the number of personal bankruptcies, to marital instability, to the loss of jobs, and to invasions of individual privacy.”
If you believe you are a victim of debt collector harassment or abuse, you may be legally protected under Sec. 806, Harassment or abuse, of the FDCPA. Under Sec. 806, it reads: “A debt collector may not engage in any conduct the natural consequences of which is to harass, oppress, or abuse any person in connection with the collection of a debt.”
Are you a victim of debt collection abuse? If so, contact our firm to discuss your case with a York debt collection attorney to explore your legal options!
