If you dread looking at your called ID every time the phone rings, chances are that you are in debt and you do not want to talk to the bill collectors that are calling (and calling, and calling). Although bill collectors are allowed to call you in an attempt to collect money from you, there are rules that they must follow. Many bill collectors do follow the rules, but some are unscrupulous and use bad business practices to kick you when you’re down. Here’s the scoop on what bill collectors can and cannot do.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act was passed to protect consumers from bad debt collection practices. It is important to understand that the FDCPA applies to outside collection agencies and not to the internal collections departments within the original creditor’s company. Creditors often refer past due accounts out to collection agencies after they become a certain amount past due.
According to the FDCPA, collection agencies cannot call you so frequently as to harass you. They also have to call between the hours of 8AM and 9PM. There are restrictions as to what they can say to you once they have you on the line, too. They are not permitted to use obscene language, and they are not allowed to threaten you. They also can’t call other people like your friends, neighbors, or parents and reveal information about your finances.
If you feel as though a collection agency is not playing fair, your first line of defense is to write them a letter making a formal request that they stop communicating with you except as permitted by Federal law. If you send a letter and the unethical tactics continue, contact the Federal Trade Commission and enter a formal complaint. They should be willing and able to help you. If you are in debt, you are not a bad person. Bill collectors are not allowed to use bad business practices to try to get money from you. It is up to you to stand up to them and let them know that they have to play fair.
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