Palmdale Creditor Harassment Lawyers
You are already under stress from being behind on bills, but you could be completely overwhelmed when you add the phone calls, letters, and harassment from creditors. They may engage in tactics ranging from bothersome to offensive, even going so far as to intimidate and bully the person who owes money. Many of these acts are unlawful under the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA), and you could have legal remedies if a debt collector violates this federal statute that protects you.
It may be surprising to learn that you can take legal action against a company that violates debt collection laws. Our team at Wadhwani & Shanfeld will guide you through the process if you seek relief under FDCPA, and we are prepared to pursue all options to stop creditor harassment. Please contact us to learn more about ways to ease the bullying. We can schedule a consultation with a Palmdale creditor harassment lawyer who will advise you on details. A summary is also informative.
Overview of FDCPA
When creditor harassment against consumers got out of control in the 1970’s, Congress responded by enacting this 1978 statute that outlaws the most offensive conduct. Debt collectors and collection agencies are prohibited from:
- Making threats of violence against you or your family;
- Using profanity and abusive language;
- Calling in the early morning or late nights;
- Stating misrepresentations or lies during conversations;
- Contacting you at work;
- Calling in a harassing way, such as dialing every 30 minutes to create hassles;
- Calling when you have already stated that you do not want to be contacted;
- Talking to a third party about your debt, such as a spouse, family member, or employer; and,
- Publishing or publicizing your debt to third parties.
Another important prohibition is that debt collectors cannot contact you once they know you have counsel, so we reach out to them about our representation right away.
Remedies for Violation of Your Rights
If a debt collector violates any of the rules above, you have the power to sue for damages. FDCPA allows you to recover statutory damages up to $1,000, plus other compensation. Keep in mind that FDCPA only applies to collection agencies and related debt collectors. The original creditor on the debt is not limited in the same way.
What We Can do to Stop Creditor Harassment
Our Southern California creditor harassment lawyers at Wadhwani & Shanfeld will pursue your remedies under FDCPA when appropriate. However, violations of the law can also provide you with leverage. A debt collector that knows it is trouble is more likely to negotiate a debt settlement, and the threat of a lawsuit should cease the bullying.
A Palmdale Creditor Harassment Lawyer Will Protect Your Rights
Violations of FDCPA give you leverage when dealing with creditors, and you could even be eligible to recover damages if you were the victim of unlawful conduct by debt collectors. For more information, please contact Wadhwani & Shanfeld to set up a consultation. An experienced Southern California lawyer can help stop creditor harassment quickly.
