subject: What Illegal Collection Practices Are [print this page] CreditNowUSA can help if youve been harassed or threatened by illegal collection attempts. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulates the actions that debt collectors can take, and for the most part, collection agencies adhere to the rules. A few do not. They annoy consumers by engaging in unlawful collection practices that can result in enforcement from the FTC.
Collection agencies cannot call you at inconvenient hours, like late at night or early in the morning, unless youve given permission. They cant call you at work if youre not permitted to take calls there. Bill collectors cannot contact you if youre represented by an attorney. They must direct all calls to him.
Debt collectors may contact third parties, like your employer or neighbors, but they may do so only once. The information they can obtain is limited to your address, telephone number and place of employment. They cannot discuss your debt with any third party.
Additionally, debt collectors may not harass or intimidate you with threats. They cannot publish your name or a list of names of people with debts. They cannot use obscenities or profanities, and they are not permitted to call repeatedly.
Debt collectors cant claim to be attorneys or falsely accuse you of breaking the law. They cannot misrepresent themselves as government employees or misrepresent the papers they send to you. Debt collectors cant threaten to garnish your wages or seize your property until they are permitted by law.
A debt collector cant add additional fees or interest to your debt unless you entered a contract that allowed it, though some state laws do permit this practice. If you pay the debt with a post-dated check, they may not attempt to deposit it early.
Your wages and bank accounts may be garnished if a debt collector wins a suit against you, but many federal benefits, like Social Security, veterans benefits, disability benefits, and FEMA disaster benefits are exempt unless the collection agency is attempting to collect delinquent taxes, child support, alimony, or student loans.
You may sue a collector in state or federal court if youve been subjected to illegal collection practices. CreditNowUSA can help you with any questions.
For more information, go to Collection Practices at http://www.creditnowusa.com/Collection-Practices
