If you are highly in debt, then you may have received a call or visit from a debt collector. Debt collectors are limited by law on their actions, so if they participate in prohibited behavior, then you can submit your complaint to a state attorney general or the Federal Trade Commission. Various debt settlement resources will have a list of the banned behavior for debt collectors. If you are a victim of any of these offenses, then be sure to contact the necessary offices.
One prohibited act is harassment. A debt collector may not harass or abuse you. For example, they cannot use threats of violence or harm against any property, reputation, or person affiliated with you. Debt collectors may not publish a list or make public a list of consumers who have refused to pay their debt. The only exception to this rule is a list to a credit bureau.
A debt collector may not advertise your high levels of debt in order to convince you to begin payments. They may not telephone anyone without first identifying themselves. Debt collectors are also prohibited from using any obscene or profane languages when speaking to a borrower. Finally, they are not allowed to excessively use the telephone to annoy someone about their debt. Debt collectors are also banned from using any false statements when they are collecting debt.
They cannot falsely imply that they are attorneys or government representatives in order to expedite a debt payment. They are not allowed to falsely represent that they work for a credit bureau. Finally, they are not permitted to falsely imply that you have committed any type of crime. Although it is rare for modern day debt collectors to employ any of these tactics, there is always a possibility that it may occur. In order to protect yourself, be sure to read different debt settlement resources to learn more.