"Debt Collecter" are people or companies that contact consumers to collect money owed on a debt. If you've received a call from a debt collector, it's important to understand your rights and the collection process.
What Does a Debt Collector Do?
A debt collector can:
- Contact you by phone, mail, or text message about a debt.
- Investigate the debt to verify it's accurate.
- Ask you to repay the debt.
What Are Your Rights?
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) [US law] protects consumers from abusive debt collection practices. Here are some of your rights under the FDCPA:
- You can request that the debt collector communicate with you only in writing.
- You can dispute the debt in writing.
- The debt collector cannot harass you or threaten you with violence.
- The debt collector cannot lie to you about the debt or try to collect more than you owe.
What You Should Do
- If you are contacted by a debt collector, it's important to take the following steps:
- Ask for verification of the debt in writing.
- Review the information carefully.
- If you don't recognize the debt, dispute it in writing.
- If you believe the debt collector is harassing you, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) [US government agency].
Conclusion
Debt collection can be stressful, but it's important to know your rights. By understanding the process and following these steps, you can deal with debt collectors in a more informed way.
