If you are in debt, then you will have many interactions with a debt collector. A debt collector is any person, other than the creditor, who collects debt owed to others on a regular basis. Under the 1986 Amendment to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, this includes any attorneys who also collect debts on a regular basis. If you are frequently visited by debt collectors, then you might be a candidate for a settlement debt program. A settlement debt program can be extremely efficient and be exactly what you need to be on the road to living a debt free life.
When you are visited by a debt collector, they are required to tell you specific details about the debt you hold. Within five days of first being contacted, a collect must send you a written notice that details the amount of money you owe, the action that you wish to take if you do not believe you owe the money, and the name of the creditor that you owe the money to.
A debt collector may contact you in person, by fax, by telephone, by telegram, or by mail. There are limits to the times a debt collector may contact you. They are not allowed to contact you at any unreasonable times or places, so they typically cannot begin to contact you until eight a.m. or after nine p.m. A collector is also banned from contacting you at work if your employer does not approve.
If a collector violates any of these restrictions, then you may file a complaint with the state district attorney or the Federal Trade Commission. In the end, a debt collector may become a nuisance in your life, so it is important to explore various avenues until you become debt free. Once you eliminate your debt, you will be much more satisfied with your position.