How to Stop Creditor Harassment
Determined lawyers work to end bill collector abuse in Georgia
If you’ve fallen behind on your bills, you may be getting constant reminders from your creditors. A barrage of letters, phone calls, emails and text messages can be overwhelming. However, you should be aware that you have rights and that you don’t have to accept abuse from a creditor or a collection agency. At Jeff Field & Associates, our Georgia bankruptcy attorneys are determined to stop creditor harassment. We are well versed in the consumer protections afforded by the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and we have experience enforcing those protections for the benefit of our clients. If you have been badgered by aggressive debt collectors, we can end the harassment and pursue compensation for the abuse you have suffered. Ignoring creditor abuse won’t make it go away. We can take decisive steps to assert your rights and provide a lasting solution.
What debt collection methods constitute illegal harassment?
Creditors have the right to pursue payment but they cannot trample the rights of debtors nor threaten, harass or deceive them. Under the FDCPA, debt collectors may not:
- Call debtors before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
- Contact debtors at work if once they’ve been told an employer does not allow such calls
- Contact any third party other than to get a debtor’s contact information
- Harass or abuse the debtor or anyone else in reference to the debtor, including by use of profanity
- Use deception, such as lying about the amount owed, pretending to be law enforcement officers, using a phony company name or telling a debtor they’ll be arrested or deported if they don’t pay
- Threaten legal action, unless the creditor intends to file suit and is permitted by law to do so
- Spread false credit information about a debtor
If you have been the victim of any of these practices, there are legal steps you can take, and our firm is prepared to help.
What you can do about creditor harassment
Being forthright with a creditor can help avoid tension that can quickly escalate to abuse. If you are having trouble meeting your bills, be frank about your circumstances. You may be able to negotiate an extension or a payment plan. If the situation has already escalated, you should keep a record of contacts from the creditor. Save written communications and make notes on phone calls, including the name of the caller, a return phone number, the time of the call and the content of the call, especially any communication that may be in violation of the FDCPA. With this information, you can send a detailed letter to the creditor demanding an end to the abuse. It’s often more effective to have an attorney draft the letter, and this is a service we provide.
How bankruptcy can end creditor harassment
If your debt is overwhelming, filing for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy grants you an automatic stay from the court that prohibits any creditor from contacting you, putting an end to all harassing phone calls and other communications. We also offer non-bankruptcy debt relief, so you can be confident in receiving reliable counsel that’s appropriate for your circumstances.
Contact a Georgia bankruptcy attorney for help with creditor harassment
Jeff Field & Associates helps end creditor harassment for clients throughout Georgia. To schedule a debt relief consultation, call 404-381-1278 or contact us online. We have offices in Scottdale, Gainesville, Marietta, Lawrenceville, Douglasville and Athens.