Dodging Abusive Debt Collection Practices

People suffering from overwhelming debts are already facing many challenges. Likely experiencing a financial hardship, many people are working to find a solution to their financial troubles. The last thing anyone needs is to be harassed by debt collectors.

Defending Debtors

With the advancement in technology comes great responsibility, especially in your right to privacy. These days, many creditors have transitioned into using the internet to help collect on debts. Contacting people through social media sites or publishing people’s names on “shame pages”, these efforts are aimed at bullying people into paying their debts. However, these efforts are also likely violating guidelines set up to protect debtors from abusive debt collectors.

• Anyone experiencing abusive or unfair debt collection practices are encouraged to:
• File a formal request with the debt collector to cease communications.
• Contact the creditor directly to verify the debt.
• Furnish a copy of the request to cease communications with the debt collector to the creditor and request direct negotiations.
• Contact the Federal Trade Commission to report the debt collector’s actions and provide a copy of the request to cease communications with the debt collector.

For more information, visit: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre18.shtm