Debt Collectors Can Be Sued For Harassing You
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that protects consumers from harassing and abusive activities by Debt Collectors trying to collect a debt. North Carolina has similar statutes that offer additional protection against this activity.
- Debt Collectors must be truthful, fair, dignified and respectful in their dealings with consumers about a debt. Debt Collectors cannot threaten to sue you, garnish wages, place liens on property, or have you arrested for not paying a bill.
- Debt Collectors cannot contact your family, friends, neighbors or employers in attempting to collect a debt.
- Debt Collectors cannot insult you, swear at you, scream at you or leave you nasty messages on your voice mail or answering machine.
- Debt Collectors cannot call you at work once you tell them not to call you there.
- Debt Collectors cannot lie, threaten or harass you while trying to collect a debt.
If this activity has happened to you or someone you know the Debt Collector can be sued. A successful consumer can recover up to $1,000.00 in statutory damages for violation of Federal Law and up to $4,000 per violation of North Carolina Law, money for the actual damage you suffered for medical expenses, long distance charges, and emotional distress among other things, plus court costs and your attorney’s fees. North Carolina penalizes unlawful Debt Collectors up to $4000 per violation of the law.
If you are interested in pursuing a case against a Debt Collector save copies of all letters, cards or envelopes from them. Save all phone messages and voice mails from these agencies. Make notes about any conversations you have with these Debt Collectors and track when and where they called. This will help build your case against them and make the abuse stop.
Our firm handles these cases on a contingency fee. This means that you do not owe us a legal fee unless we recover money for you through litigation or settlement. You also do not owe us the costs to bring your case unless we recover money for you.
Need more information? Read our Creditor Harassment Frequently Asked Questions