Debt Collectors Look for a Victim all the Time

It is worthwhile to note that many people do not bother to find out about debt collectors unless they face the problem themselves. However, there are advertisements warning against companies with false debt collectors under the fair debt collection act.

The debt collector takes the path of playing with psychology assuming that you are not aware of your rights and that you might succumb to his tactics and pay up. Some of the techniques the debt collector uses to harass you are:

Calls you repeatedly over phone at home and work

Calls people other than you about the debt

Calls you in spite of requesting not to call

May or may not disclose who he is

Calls you at unusual hours

Uses rude and insulting language

Claims he is from a government agency

Contacts you even after a written notification not to call

Threatens to take action

Threatens to garnish wages

Calls you even after debt validation from you or your attorney

If the debt collector wants to charge more than your debt

If you suffer debt collector harassment for any of the above, there is a possibility of your recovering money from him and not vice versa.

Under the Federal Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)all the above account to violations of law. You have a right to sue a debt collector for unfair debt collection methods by enforcing debt collection laws in a state or federal court within one year from the date the law was violated. If you win, the judge can impose on the collector to pay you for any damages you can prove you suffered because of the illegal collection practices, like lost wages and medical bills. Even if you cannot prove you have suffered, the judge can require debt collector to pay you an amount up to $1000.

If the debt collector sues you, it is best to respond either personally or through your attorney. You may contact Krohn & Moss Consumer Law Center and engage an FDCPA attorney, who will take up your case, examine and proceed legally.

Krohn & Moss Consumer Law Center has mediated, sued and settled thousands of victimized consumers' cases for credit reporting and debt collection issues.