Dealing with overwhelming debt can make people feel like they are drowning with every purchase. Experiencing creditor harassment can only make the situation worse. Creditors must act in accordance with the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which prohibits debt collectors from engaging in a number of specific behaviors. If you believe you have been experiencing creditor harassment, you might be wondering if you can sue your creditor.
Filing a Creditor Harassment Claim
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) says debt collectors can’t harass, oppress, abuse you or anyone else they contact. If you believe you are experiencing creditor harassment, you may be able to file a claim against a debt collector for harassment. If a debt collector is found to have engaged in harassing behavior, you are entitled to damages, along with court costs and attorney fees.
Below are common types of harassment, or abusive behaviors debt collectors engage in:
- Repetitive phone calls that are intended to annoy, abuse, or harass you or any person answering the phone
- Obscene or profane language
- Threats of violence or harm
- Publishing lists of people who refuse to pay their debts
- Calling you without telling you who they are
- Calling your boss or other family members repeatedly
Creditors Must Inform You of Your Debt Situation
The FDCPA also requires debtors to provide you with accurate information so that you know why they are calling you. They cannot give you false, deceptive, or misleading information. They can’t give you misleading information about the amount you owe, lie about their profession (for example, say they are an attorney when they are not), threaten to have you arrested, and more.
Stop Creditor Harassment
These laws are set in place to protect debtors from creditor harassment. So if you are experiencing harassment from a debt collector, you are entitled to file a claim against them and seek compensation for their wrongdoing. Our team at Jacovetti Law, P.C. has been helping debtors across New York achieve freedom from debt and creditor harassment. Get in touch with us today to learn how we can help you.
Contact our New York debt relief lawyers today at (516) 217-4488 to schedule a consultation!