Debt Collector Harrassment

It is all to common that we hear stories in the news of debt collection agencies harrassing people to make them pay debts. Some of the things that are common are calling people at odd hours of the evening, threatening people with jail, overstating a debt, blackmailing people or other forms of harrasment and intimidation. In some cases, the debt collector may even threaten people with violence or make a number of prank phone calls or simply hang up as soon as some answers the phone to give the person on the other end a sense of fear and apprehension in the hope that this fear will make them pay. In many cases, this type of behvious is plainly illegal and lead to the deregistration of the debt collector.

What can you do if you are being harrassed?

There are a number of options which you have if you are being harrased. If it is really serious in the sense that it may constitute an assault, you may need to contact the police. Also, in many jurisdictions, the licence of a debt collector is granted by a local court and if it can be shown that they are not a person of good character then they will be denied a license. In Australia, the ACCC will investigate unfair debt collection practices as will the Office of Fair Trading or comesurate consumer advocated government department at state level. These organisations will accept complaints in a standard form and investigate it for free. In the USA, also there is to potential for a claim specifically under the terms of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act which is administered by the Federal Trade Comission. Beyond the free help which government agencies provide you will need to get a lawyer with experience in this area and intitial advice about matters like this is always most helpful. We have lawyers available online now to answer your questions if you are curious to know any further information.

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