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Debt Collection Harassment Lawyers

Facing relentless debt collection calls? Zemel Law's debt collection harassment lawyers are here to challenge inaccuracies and safeguard your rights.

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    Legal Defenders For Your Debt Collection Harassment

    When you're having a hard time keeping up with bills or paying off debts, the last thing you want is creditors bothering you for money. Debt collectors are supposed to treat you fairly and respectfully. Getting constant calls, letters, and visits from them can be really frustrating and embarrassing. If you are going through this difficult phase of life, our attorneys for debt collection harassment at Zemel Law are here to help.

    We understand collectors' sneaky and sometimes unfair tactics, and we hold them accountable for their behavior. Our law firm communicate with collectors on your behalf and assists you in managing your debts. We'll begin by sending a letter to the creditor, informing them that we're your debt harassment attorneys. If the harassment persists, we're prepared to take legal action under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) to secure compensation and end the bother. If you're ready to stop the harassment and regain control of your life, we're here to help.

    Understanding Debt Collection Harassment

    Debt collection harassment refers to any abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices used by debt collectors to intimidate, coerce, or bully consumers into paying off debts. This can include repeated or continuous telephone calls to annoy, abuse, or harass individuals, pressuring individuals to repay debts by contacting them or their known ones at unreasonable times or locations, or any threatening or harassing behavior. When debt collectors bother, mistreat, or bully you, they violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). As a consequence of which, they are punishable under the law.

    Take action against the companies that may be violating your rights.

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    Signs You're a Victim of Debt Collection Harassment

    Here are signs that indicate debt collection harassment and violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA):

    1
    Harassment

    If a debt collector is using offensive language, threats of violence to life or property, or includes your name in a list of people who owe money, these are all considered signs of debt harassment. They also can’t call you repeatedly about debt, especially multiple times a day, or before 8:00 AM and after 9:00 PM.

    2
    False statements about the already paid debt or debt amount

    Some debt collectors may lie about the amount of debt to make you pay. They might falsely claim to be an attorney for debt collections or government official or say untrue things about what could happen to you if you don’t pay. A common false statement is threatening to have you arrested for not paying a debt.

    3
    Improper threats of legal action

    Debt collectors can’t make threats of legal actions, like filing a lawsuit, if they don’t actually intend to do it. It’s also against the law to threaten to garnish wages, seize property, or take your income tax refund when there’s no judgment against you.

    4
    Deceptive documents

    Some collection agencies might send you fake documents that seem to be from a company, court, or government agency to convince you that you owe a debt or that a judgment has been made against you. Using fake documents like this is illegal.

    5
    Collection of unowed debts or interests out of the legal contract

    Sometimes, a collection agency will try to collect a debt that they can’t prove you owe, and it might turn out that you don’t owe the debt at all. It’s also illegal to charge interest and other fees that are not allowed under your agreement with the creditor you owe money to.

    6
    Bothering friends and family

    It’s not okay for debt collectors to contact your family, neighbors, or friends to discuss your debt with them. This is considered abusive. Except for your spouse, the debt collectors cannot discuss your debt details with anyone as this is a breach of privacy.

    7
    Communications after attorney representation

    Once a collection agency knows you have a lawyer, they should only communicate with your credit harassment attorney. Continuing to contact you personally through calls, emails, or letters is a violation of the law.

    8
    Debt collection harassment under TCPA

    Using pre-recorded, automated, or auto-dialed calls violates the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). The TCPA sets regulations to protect consumers from unwanted and harassing communications. It requires prior express consent for certain types of calls, and debt collectors must adhere to these regulations.

    Why You Need Our Debt Collection Harassment Lawyer Assistance

    If you are being harassed by debt collectors, reach out to our attorneys for debt collection harassment at Zemel Law. Here’s how we can help you:

    1
    Expert Advice and Guidance Regarding Debt Collection Harassment

    Our team of experts holds years of experience in providing valuable insights into the rights and options available to address harassment by creditors or debt collectors. Our legal team can help individuals understand relevant laws, such as the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and other regulations, and provide actionable strategies to stop harassment, assert legal rights, and navigate the complexities of debt collection issues.

    2
    Cease Communication Demand

    Our lawyers that handle debt collectors formally request the collection agency to stop all communications with you. This includes sending a cease and desist letter, compelling them to respect your rights under fair debt collection laws.

    3
    Verification of Debt Analysis

    We will carefully examine the verification of debt provided by the collection agency. Also, our experts will identify instances where the agency lacks sufficient proof, potentially leading to a situation where you may not be obligated to pay the debt. Our debt harassment attorneys will also assess your other defenses against the underlying debt.

    4
    Negotiation Expertise

    In the case where the debt is legally yours, our creditor harassment lawyer can negotiate a settlement with the collection agency on your behalf. Alternatively, we also effectively communicate reasons why you believe you don’t owe the debt, aiming to resolve the matter without unnecessary legal complications.

    5
    Evidence Collection

    Do you not have enough proof against debt collection harassment? Our attorney will gather crucial evidence, including copies of letters, emails, and records of phone and text communications, to build a solid case proving violations of fair debt collection laws.

    6
    Legal Threats

    If the collection agency persists in illegal practices despite an attorney’s cease and desist letter, our credit harassment lawyers can escalate the matter by threatening legal action. This serves as a warning and can prompt the agency to cease its unlawful activities.

    7
    Lawsuit Filing

    If necessary, our credit harassment attorney will file a lawsuit against the collection agency. This legal action seeks compensation that you are entitled to for violations of federal and state debt collection practices laws.

    8
    Comprehensive Debt Assistance

    Beyond addressing the specific harassment issue, our creditor harassment attorney assists you with broader debt problems. This includes defending yourself if you are sued, exploring options for bankruptcy, and negotiating settlements with your creditors. Having legal representation ensures a comprehensive approach to handling your overall debt challenges.

    Your Rights Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)

    In 2020, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) got 75,200 complaints from consumers about debt collectors. To address this issue, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) was first passed in 1977 and updated in 1996. This law focused on the complaints about the aggressive methods used by collection agencies to make them pay their debts.

    The FDCPA states: “A debt collector may not engage in any conduct, the natural consequence of which is to harass, oppress, or abuse any person in connection with the collection of a debt.”

    Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), you have several rights when dealing with debt collection agencies. Here are some key rights provided by the FDCPA:

    1
    Protection from Harassment

    Debt collectors are prohibited from using abusive language, making repeated or continuous harassing phone calls, or engaging in any conduct intended to harass, oppress, or abuse you. In such a scenario, you can send them legal notice and even file a lawsuit based on the severity of the harassment.

    2
    Disclosure of Debt Information

    A debt collector must provide you with written notice, typically within 5 days of initial contact, containing the amount of debt, the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed, and information about your right to dispute the debt.

    3
    Right to Dispute Debt

    You have the right to dispute the debt or any portion thereof within 30 days of receiving the validation notice. Upon receipt of a written dispute, the debt collector must cease collection efforts until the debt is verified.

    4
    Protection from False or Misleading Representation

    Debt collectors are prohibited from making false or misleading statements when attempting to collect a debt. This includes misrepresenting the amount or legal status of the debt. In such a case, you have the right to take legal action against the debt collectors.

    5
    Cease and Desist

    You have the right to request that the debt collector cease further communications. Upon receipt of a written request, the debt collector can only contact you to acknowledge the request or inform you of specific actions intended to be taken.
    It’s important to note that these rights protect you from unfair and abusive debt collection practices. If you believe a debt collector has violated your rights under the FDCPA, you may have legal recourse, including the right to sue for damages within one year of the violation. For expert legal assistance, contact Zemel Law today! Let our experienced Debt collection lawyers in New York, California, Massachusetts, and Washington County, safeguard your rights and guide you through the process. Take the first step towards relief – call us now at 862-271-2664 or visit zemellawllc.com!

    FAQs

    You may be a victim of debt collection harassment if a debt collector uses abusive language, makes repeated or continuous harassing calls, or engages in any conduct intended to harass, oppress, or abuse you or any third parties they contact. Other indications include threats of violence, false statements, publication of your name as someone who refuses to pay debts, and repeated calls to friends and family.
    Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and other related laws, actions that qualify as debt collection harassment include using obscene or profane language, making repeated or continuous telephone calls with the intent to annoy, abuse, or harass, making threats of violence or harm, publishing a list of individuals who refuse to pay their debts, and making false statements.
    When you are subjected to debt harassment, the first thing you need to do is visit a credit harassment attorney at Zemel Law. Then our experienced lawyers will take several steps to stop debt collectors from harassing you, including sending a written request for them to cease further communications, keeping detailed records of any harassing behavior, and filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
    No, debt collection harassment does not affect your credit score directly, but it may indirectly impact your credit score if it results in missed payments or other negative consequences. However, any adverse effects on your credit score would be due to actions related to the debt collection process, such as missed payments, defaulting on debts, or other negative financial activities, rather than harassment specifically.

    To support a debt collection harassment case, you should gather evidence such as 

    • Recordings or transcripts of harassing phone calls
    • Copies of abusive letters or emails,
    • Witness statements from any third parties who witnessed the harassment
    • Documentation of any false statements made by the debt collector
    • Records of any emotional or financial harm caused by the harassment

    These pieces of evidence can support your case and help build a strong legal argument. If you are unable to sort the evidence, attorneys for debt collection harassment at Zemel Law can help.

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