Owing a bank or collection agency money does not mean you deserve less respect than the next person. No one should be able to bully or harass you to collect on you, especially when there is a genuine dispute over what you owe.
A knowledgeable debtors’ relief attorney can protect your rights when debt collectors harass you, even when you believe you owe the debt in question. Collectors are limited in how they deal with you, and any violation could result in a monetary award in your favor. Let a Springfield Fair Debt Collection Practices Act lawyer help you fight back.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that protects the public from abusive practices. It was passed in response to the harassment and threats lenders used against consumers for years. Under this law, it is possible to stop the unfair treatment and recover a monetary award against the violators.
Different types of behavior qualify under the statute. When you work with a Springfield FDCPA attorney, they can serve as your advocate when lenders act outside the law.
Any attempt to intimidate or harass a consumer into paying what is owed is a violation of federal law. This includes repeated hangup calls, the use of offensive language, calling at late hours, or even threatening violence.
Debt collectors are prohibited from lying or using misrepresentation. For example, they may not pretend to be law enforcement or represent a government official. It is also illegal to lie about the consequences of failing to pay or the amount owed.
While collectors may have the right to sue a debtor, they do not have the authority to threaten legal action when they have no intention of taking it. Threatening a lawsuit when there is no basis for filing one is also unlawful.
Debtors have the right to demand that collectors stop calling them. Other than providing legal notice of a lawsuit, they must comply with these requests and cease all efforts. If they keep calling, they could be violating the law.
Debtors can recover various monetary damages through a successful FDCPA lawsuit. They may be entitled to as much as $1,000 each time they break the law. These are statutory damages, and they are available without proof of direct harm. A judge will ultimately determine the amount each violation is worth.
A judge could also award compensation based on how the harassment has impacted the debtor’s health. This includes the emotional toll relentless telephone calls can have and the physical effects of losing sleep or having panic attacks.
A Springfield attorney could recover attorney fees and costs through a successful Fair Debt Collection Practices Act lawsuit. This kind of reimbursement can make the support of legal counsel affordable in these cases.
If your lender is harassing harassing you, legal action may be appropriate. Discussing your rights with legal counsel to see if the law was violated is in your best interest.
Let a Springfield Fair Debt Collection Practices Act lawyer fight for you. Call today for a private consultation.
When you need assistance with a family law matter, get in touch with a capable attorney. A Springfield family lawyer from Anthony Phillips Law Firm, LLC, can help you resolve the matter as amicably as possible while protecting your rights.
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