Debt Collectors
If you are being harassed by debt collectors, call our skilled debt collection defense lawyers immediately to protect your rights. Schedule a consultation now!
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Debt Collector Harassment
Debt collector harassment is a serious concern among many credit card users or those who have obtained some type of loan (including, but not limited to mortgages, home equity loans, payday loans, retail installment contracts, auto loans, student loans and appliance loans). Of course, a person may be the target of debt collector harassment even if he or she does not have an outstanding obligation.
Although debt collectors can legally contact you for the purpose of collecting on your past due obligations, they are required to follow strict guidelines under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and state or local law. The FDCPA is a federal law that regulates collector conduct and prohibits debt collectors from employing abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices in order to collect on outstanding debts.
Who Are “Debt Collectors”?
Debt collectors are defined by the FDCPA as third parties who regularly collect debts incurred for personal, household, or family purposes. Accordingly, collection agencies and their representatives, as well as debt collection lawyers constitute “debt collectors” who are subject to the regulations outlined in the FDCPA.
Debt Collector Limitations Under the FDCPA
Debt collectors are limited in the ways they are allowed to collect. First, they cannot harass you in anyway. They may not level threats of violence or harm and they may not publish your name, or use obscene or profane language in communicating with you. Calling excessively or at odd hours is also prohibited.
Further, debt collectors cannot make false statements. For example, they may not incorrectly claim to be a lawyer, law enforcement, or a credit reporting agency. They may not misrepresent the actual amount of money owed, nor may they misrepresent legal forms as unofficial forms and vice versa. Debt collectors are also prohibited from claiming that you have committed a crime, or that you will be arrested for failure to pay. Additionally, debt collectors are prohibited from threatening to seize property, make deductions on wages, or take legal action if they have no legal basis or actual intention of taking such action.
This is not an exhaustive list. Call our office today if you believe a debt collector has violated your rights.
Dealing with debt collector harassment
If a debt collection agency or representative has violated the law, you have the right to file a lawsuit. If your case is successful, you may be awarded: (1) actual damages (lost wages, medical expenses, out of pocket expense, etc.); (2) statutory damages up to $1,000; and (3) the cost of your lawyer’s fees and court expense.
We will zealously advocate on your behalf if your rights have been violated by a debt collector. See running list below.
A
A & S Collection Associates, Inc
ACA Recovery Inc
Academy Collection Service Inc
Account Solutions Group
Accounts Receivable Management
Alegis Financial Group
Alexander Wright & Associates
Allianceone Receivables Management
Allied Data Corporation
Allied International
Allied Trustee
American Education Services (AES)
AMO Recoveries
AMSG (Asset Management Services Group)
Apothaker and Associates
Arrowood Indemnity Company
Arthur B Adler & Associates
Asset Acceptance LLC
Associated Recovery Systems
B
Bass & Associates
Bennet & Deloney
Blatt
Blitt & Gaines
Bonded Collection Corporation
Borack and Associates
Boudreau & Associates
Bowman & Heinz, Boshet and Bisman
Bronson & Migliaccio
C
Calvary Portfolio
Capital Management Services, LP
Capital One
Capitol Recovery Associates
CBE Group
Chase Bank
Citibank Student Loan
Cohen and Slamowitz, LLP
Collect Corp
D
Daniels, Norelli, Scully & Cecere P.C
Discover Student Loans
Diversified Adjustment Services
Dominion Law Associates
Droyds
E
Ellis Crosby & Associates
Eltman, Eltman, and Cooper, P.C.
EZ TEL
F
Federal Bond and Collection Service
FIA Card Services
Financial Asset Management Systems
First National Collection Bureau
First Performance Recovery Corp
Focus Receivable Management
Forster and Garbus, LLP
Fred Hanna and Associates
G
Geneva Roth Ventures
Gerald E. Moore & Associates
Global Vantege
Graham Beagle & Associates
Graham Noble and Associates
Gregg E. Bienstock
H
Hayt Hayt and Landau
Henry Daley
Hosto & Buchan
Howard Lee Schiff PC
I
J
Javitch Collections
JC Christensen & Associates
JH Portfolio Debt Equities, LLC
K
Kazlow and Kazlow
Key Bank Student Loans
Kleinman Saltzman & Bolnick LLP
L
M
Malcolm S. Gerald & Associates
Malen and Associates, P.C.
Martin A. Bienstock
MEFA
Mel S. Harris and Associates, LLC
Meyers, Saxon, and Cole
Mid-Atlantic Consumer Services LLC
Morgan and Pottinger PSC
N
Nathanson Law Firm LLP
National Action Financial Services
National Collegiate
National Collegiate Student Loan Trust
National Credit Adjusters
Nationwide Recovery Systems
Navient Student Loans
NCEP
NCO
Nelson and Watson Associates
NES
New York City Marshal
New York State Higher Education
O
Ozark Capital Corporation
P
Pinnacle Financial
Platinum Capital Inv
Pressler and Pressler, LLP
Professional Credit Management, Inc
Professional Recovery Services
Providence Dane, LLC
R
Rancho Credit Management
Rannefeld & Associates
Regional Adjustment Bureau
Richard McCoy
Ronald Moses
Ronald Pazant
Rubin And Rothman, LLC
S
Sallie Mae
Scherr & McClure Law P.A.
Schwartz Schwartz & Associates
Simms & Associates
SLM Private Student Loan Trusts
Smith, Carroad, Levy & Wan
Statewide Credit Services Corp.
Steven Cohen LLC
T
U
United Guaranty Corporation
United Legal Processing
V
Vandenberg Chase and Associates
W
Warren Schemb
Wells Fargo Credit Card
Wells Fargo Student Loans
Weltman, Weinberg, and Reis
WFNNB
William, Scott & Associates
X
Y
Z
* Certain debt collectors have been banned from participating in the debt collection business. Click here to see a list of banned collectors.