The Misleading and Harassment Tactics of a Debt Collection Agency

A consumer who has significant debt may be harassed daily by a debt collection agency for payment. This harassment can come in many forms, and a consumer may not even realize that what is happening could be illegal. Debt collection agencies may do whatever is within their power to seek payment from those who owe money. An agency might even use unlawful and misleading tactics to get consumers to pay. Here, we will talk further about debt collection harassment, and how you can get help if this is happening to you.

What are signs that I am being harassed by a debt collection agency? 

Harassment from a debt collection agency can be through phone calls, letters, or emails. When a consumer receives an aggressive message or notice about debt collection, they may be confused, unsure how to respond, and perhaps even a little unsettled. If any of the below strategies have been used against you by a debt collection company, it may be time to seek assistance from an attorney about the harassment: 

• Repetitive phone calls about collecting payments
• Use of language that is profane, aggressive, threatening, or unprofessional
• Calling late at night or very early in the morning
• Threatening to take action if payment is not submitted 
• Reaching out to a third party to get more information about where you live or other phone numbers you might have
• Contacting your employer or office about the debt collection
• Ignoring any written or verbal requests to have the debt verified
• Continuing to call the consumer despite receiving an official notice to halt communication

Am I entitled to compensation for the harassment?

A consumer may be entitled to substantial monetary compensation for every time the debt collection agency has contacted in a threatening and illegal manner. A debt collection defense attorney, such as a debt collection defense attorney, can help a consumer decide whether the actions being taken against him or her are, in fact, illegal, then offer advice on how to move forward with a lawsuit. 

Is it necessary that I hire an attorney? 

It can be difficult to fend off a debt collection agency without legal intervention. Once a consumer has hired an attorney to assist in the matter, the agency may then begin to take things seriously and halt communication. Such an agency may assume that a consumer does not have the time or money to invest in taking legal action. The majority of consumers may not even realize these calls can be illegal until they seek insight from an attorney familiar with debt collection harassment. 

Is there anything else I should know about debt collection harassment?

In addition to harassment, a debt collection agency may use very misleading tactics to pressure a consumer to make a payment. Such methods may be to claim the consumer owes more than he or she actually does, state they are an attorney who will take legal action if a payment is not sent, or other threats like the consumer will be arrested if they do not respond.