How to Report Threatening Letters From Collection Agencies
Receiving a letter from a collection agency can be unpleasant, especially if the letter uses threatening or abusive language. Fortunately, you do have recourse if a collector is threatening you. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act governs the way that collection agencies operate and includes provisions against harassment. A collector may not threaten to harm you, publish your name in connection with a debt, make false statements or threaten criminal action against you.
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Instructions
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Contact Your State Attorney General
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Determine whether or not the letter violates the law. Debt collectors are permitted to contact you, but they may not threaten, harass or lie to you in an attempt to collect a debt. The Federal Trade Commission includes a list of off-limit practices for collectors in a FAQ on its website (see Resources section below).
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Check your state attorney general's office to find the procedures for filing a complaint. You may need to download a form or write a letter explaining your complaint. Be specific in your complaint; if the creditor violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, cite the specific section that was violated.
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Make copies of the threatening letters and include them with your complaint.
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Mail or fax the complaint to your attorney general. Make a note of the date that you filed the complaint so that you can follow up, if necessary.
Contact the FTC
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Visit FTCComplaintAssistant.gov and click the large brown box that says "FTC Complaint Assistant."
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Select "No" when asked if you are filing a complaint based on identity theft. Select "Debt collectors or collection practices" as the reason for your complaint.
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Click "A company other than the original creditor" and select the check boxes that apply to your complaint. You can select multiple check boxes. Click "Next" when done.
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Select "Yes" if you know the name of the company involved in your complaint. It should be located on the letter that you received. Fill out the forms that follow with as much information as you can about the collection agency and the debt. Make sure you include all of your contact information so that the FTC can contact you regarding your complaint.
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Include a statement about your complaint when prompted. Be specific and list the threatening statements that the collection agency made. Click "Next" to review your complaint. If it is satisfactory, click "Submit" and it will be transmitted to the FTC.
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