How to Stand up for your rights against bill collectors

Falling behind on your bills doesn't give collection agencies the right to hound you. Learn what you can do if your being hassled by bill collectors.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. The federal fair debt collection practices act protects you against harassing efforts by collection agencies to get you to pay overdue bills. It does not, however, eliminate your debts or stop collectors from using reasonable methods to get paid. Collection agencies can contact you by mail, telephone, or in person, but not before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. unless you allow it. They can't contact you at your job if your employer does not approve. They can't tell anyone but you and your lawyer about your debts.
2. A bill collector can ask others where you live and work.
   After an agency has contacted you, they must send you a written notice of how much you owe, the name of your creditor, and what you can do if you don't owe the money. You have 30 days to respond if you dispute the debt. If you tell the collection agency to stop contacting you, they must do so, but they can take other action, such as a lawsuit.
3. It's illegal for a collector to use harrassing tactics like threating your person, property, or reputation. They can't imply that you are committing a crime; or give out false credit information about you.
   State laws also protect your rights. If you think you've been subjected to debt collection abuse, contact the Federal Trade Commission or your state attorney general.