If you’re deep in debt, you may find the debt collectors on your back 24/7. Luckily the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects you from unfair and nasty practices from credit companies. Know your rights. Here is what they can and CAN’T do to get their money.
What they can do:
∙Contact you in person, by mail, telephone, or fax.
∙Call your employer if they don’t mind.
∙Contact others to get your address, phone number, or where you work.
∙Contact you, if you haven’t instructed them not to.
∙Tell you their plans, without threatening, cursing, or harassing you.
What they can’t do:
∙Contact you at inconvenient times and places, unless you agree.
∙Call you at work, if they know your employer disapproves.
∙tell anyone other than your attorney that you own money.
∙Contact you if you’ve told them, in writing, to stop – other than to confirm your request or notify you of their intent to take a specific action.
If you believe a debt collector has gone too far, or broken one of trade commission rules, contact your state attorney general and the Federal Trade Commission or 877 – FTC – HELP.