What is Creditor Harassment?

Blog originally published on August 1, 2016. Updated on July 18, 2022.

The phone rings for the fifth time that morning and you cringe as you glance at the caller ID. It’s a debt collector again, and although you’ve already told this agency that you are taking steps to repay your debt, they keep calling to annoy and berate you. It seems like a fresh start is out of reach and there's no way to make them stop calling.

This is creditor harassment, and it’s against the law. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), a federal law enforced by the Federal Trade Commission United States government agency, debt collection representatives such as collection agencies are prohibited from using certain unfair or abusive behaviors in an attempt to collect a debt.

Whether you're in debt from loans, medical bills, or even utility bills, there are strategies and legal resources to protect consumers from the abusive tactics a debt collector may try.

Forms of Harassment from Debt Collectors & Creditors

Abusive debt collection practices are unfortunately common. Behaviors that are considered creditor harassment and are prohibited by the FDCPA include:

  • Calling before 8AM or after 9PM without your permission

  • Calling you at work, even though you have told them you are not allowed to take calls on the clock

  • Not telling you who they are, false or misleading representations such as falsely claiming to be an attorney, or being deceptive about why they’re calling

  • Using obscene or profane language

  • Threatening you with violence or harm

  • Making false threats or threatening to take actions that are not legally enforceable, such as claiming they will have you arrested

How Can I Stop Creditor Harassment?

If you want to stop debt collection harassment and constant phone calls, there are a few ways to go about it. First, keep written or audio records of your interactions with the debt collector or anyone else from the debt collection agency. Keep a log of when they call, to whom you are speaking, and any type of harassing behaviors you encounter.

Also, maintain a file of any letters or emails you receive from abusive debt collectors. You can send a cease and desist letter to the collector, which is a written request telling them to stop contacting you. Be sure to keep a copy of the letter and send it via certified mail with a return receipt request so you have proof that the agency received the letter. If the debt collector harassment continues, you have the right to take legal action and sue them.

For Fair Debt Collection Practices, Choose Same Day Process

Questions? Contact Same Day Process today! From skip tracing to social media investigations, we are the leading process servers in Maryland. 

 

Who Can Benefit From Skip Tracing?

There are many different career paths that people can follow and most of these involve collecting money from people who have purchased goods or services. Unfortunately, it's not unusual for someone to swap a good or service with someone who...

Helpful Tips for Hiring a Private Investigator

Unfortunately, not everyone is as honest as they say that they are. For this reason, many people are interested in seeing what someone is up to when they aren't around because people need answers. Are they just being unnecessarily suspicious? Or...

What is Skip Tracing?

There are a number of reasons you or your business may be looking to locate someone. You may be looking to locate an ex-spouse to serve them with paperwork or your business may be looking to locate someone who your business money. Locating someone...

Advantages of Hiring a Private Investigator

When people think of a private investigator, they usually think of someone from the movies, say an old film noir that depicts a man wearing a fedora, working out of a seedy office. In fact, a PI is a professional investigator, usually someone who is...

When Do I Need a Social Media Investigation?

Social media investigations require more than a basic understanding of Twitter or Facebook. It is something that you should leave to the experts. You will require a team of highly trained experts that ensure the data you gather is valuable before a...

Things To Consider When Hiring a Process Server

If you are facing a day in court or have essential legal documents that must be presented to another party, a process server can be an invaluable asset. While a Google search will offer you a ton of local options, it’s essential that you take...

5 Myths About Private Investigation

Private investigation is something that many people have heard of but that very few really know the exact details of. There are some bits and pieces that everyone should know about private investigators that will help you determine what the truth...

How A Private Process Server Can Help You

Process serving might not be an occupation you hear about often, but if you have watched any episode of any courtroom drama, then you have probably seen one in action. A process server is someone who serves legal documents to defendants involved in...

Skip Tracing Defined

Skiptracing refers to the task of finding a person's whereabouts. There are many reasons why this process may be needed. When skip tracing is required, a professional, known as a "skip tracer," is often hired. Some skip tracers are...

Top 5 Reasons for Hiring a Private Investigator

Unfortunately, the world is full of people who commit dishonest, corrupt, and fraudulent acts. If you feel threatened by such a person, contacting a private investigator is smart. By gathering crucial evidence, this expert can often prevent a bad...

Legal Difference Between an Affidavit & a Declaration

Generally, the information in both a sworn affidavit and a statutory declaration is the same. A sworn affidavit contains facts that are written and the affiant swears that the contents are all true before an individual that is authorized to...

How Does One Become a Process Server?

Process servers deliver legal documents to named clients or defendants in legal proceedings. These documents include court summons, subpoenas, complaints and so forth. Process servers are responsible for delivering documents while abiding by...

How to Avoid Scammer Process Servers

When it comes to serving legal documents there are plenty of concerns that you should be aware of. In a world where people are always trying to get more than they deserve, there are now more process server scams than ever before. There are some tips...

How to Become a Skip Tracer

In the legal field, skip tracing is the attempted location of a fugitive who cannot be located by using their home address, usual hangouts, or other traditional means. The term comes from 'skip', meaning someone who has 'skipped...
Page: 123456 - All