Not everyone realizes that they do not have to keep dealing with creditor harassment. Legal action can be taken if your creditors start harassing you to pay back your debt. Recognizing what counts as creditor harassment can help you know when you have the option to take legal action to stop this harassment. Reach out to a Chattanooga bankruptcy attorney to start this process today.
What Counts as Creditor Harassment?
There are important differences between creditor harassment and creditors reminding you to pay debt or informing you of consequences. Creditors are allowed to inform you about the debt you owe, fees, interest rates, payments due, names of creditors, and your debt collection rights. These may include your ability to obtain more information about the creditor.
Debt collectors are allowed to contact you by phone, letters, or emails. Text messages are one of the new ways debt collectors are allowed to reach you along with private messages on social media. You have the option to stop debt collectors from contacting you by mailing a letter to the collection company.
Once your letter is sent, the company is only allowed to contact you to confirm they will stop contacting you or if they file a lawsuit. Debt collectors can start engaging in harassment when they go further than these forms of communication. Common types of creditor harassment include:
Harassing or abusive comments toward you
Threats of harm
Unprofessional language
Contacting you excessively
Making false or exaggerated statements
Pretending to be someone else
Wage garnishment without a court order
Be wary of unfair practices by debt collectors like collecting more money than you owe, or more than state laws allow. Debt collectors also cannot threaten to take your property unless they have legal action to do so.
How a Lawyer Can End Creditor Harassment
A lawyer can help you figure out whether you are being harassed and whether to take legal action against the debt collector. If creditor harassment or unfair practices are taking place, a lawyer can help you explore whether to sue the debt collector. The process of suing a debt collector involves building a claim with evidence and other information to prove the harassment took place.
Depending on different factors, suing a debt collector could lead to compensation for any damages you suffered. This may include coverage for any legal fees involved in suing them. An experienced lawyer can help you defend your lawsuit and fight for the compensation you need to recover.
A lawyer can also help you explore options for escaping debt. Once hired, your lawyer can guide you through these options and the subsequent steps required.
Call Tom Bible Law Today
Dealing with creditors can be frustrating enough but creditor harassment can be stressful. Do not hesitate to call us today at Tom Bible Law by dialing (423) 424-3116 for a consultation about your legal options for dealing with creditor harassment. Our experienced team of Tennessee bankruptcy lawyers is ready to help you stop being harassed by creditors. We serve clients in the Tennessee cities of Chattanooga and Tullahoma.