Once you start getting into debt, it’s only a matter of time before that creditor thinks you will never pay them back. One common way creditors harass their debtors is by hounding them for payment over the phone or with letters.
It’s a scary thought, but if you know what they can do to you, you can easily avoid them by paying your debt ahead of time. Here are 5 of the most common types of creditor harassment.
Phone Calls at All Hours of the Day
The call at all day hours is a classic example of creditor harassment. You’ve probably heard the term “debt collector” before, but what does it mean?
Creditors pay collectors to collect payments on past due accounts—they call you, send letters, and so on. If your creditor is trying to collect from you, they may call you at all hours to scare you into paying up.
It is not okay. Knowing your rights when dealing with collectors is essential because there are laws against harassing debtors.
Excessive Contact With Your Employer, Family, and Friends
If creditors are harassing you, it’s because they think you have money.
Often, creditors will contact the company or organization that employs you and threaten your job if you don’t pay them back. It is called “debt collection harassment,” one of the most common types of creditor harassment.
Another type of creditor harassment involves calling your parents or friends and demanding money. You need to address the issue with Creditor Harassment Defense as early as possible, and you could always look for a qualified attorney to help you sort out the problem.
If someone contacts you about debts you don’t owe or threatens to take legal action against you for debts that aren’t yours, they may be guilty of creditor harassment.
Threatening Language
It’s important to note that threatening language is not just a matter of “a little bit of this and a little bit of that” Instead, it’s a way to intimidate and coerce.
Threatening language can be insults or threats, but it can also be made using veiled or abstract threats. In either case, it is crucial to avoid these actions because they can damage your reputation and business relationships.
For example, if someone were to tell you they would like to “shoot you in the head,” they are making a threat against your life.
It is a severe intimidation that should not be taken lightly. You must understand how these statements affect others around you—and yourself—because they can affect your life and future relationships with others.
Attempting to Collect More Than What You Owe
Attempting to collect more than what you owe. It can be done through threats or actions, but it’s essential to know that it’s illegal.
If a creditor tries to collect more than they’re owed, they may violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). The FDCPA protects consumers from debt collection practices that are abusive, deceptive, or unfair.
For example, collectors cannot engage in threats of violence or harm against consumers; make false claims about a consumer’s credit rating; misrepresent the amount of time allowed for payments; contact persons at odd hours, or threaten legal action unless payment is made immediately.
Making False Statements About You
It is a common form of creditor harassment, and it’s often done by creditors trying to collect a debt from you.
A creditor can make a false statement to someone in an attempt to get them to pay their debts, which is illegal under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
If a creditor makes an untrue statement that they know will cause harm or injury to your reputation, they can be sued for damages and penalties by you.
Final Thoughts
There often needs to be more transparency about what might be included in ongoing collection activity. It can be hard to know if a creditor is doing something right or if they’ve stepped over the line and are violating the law.
Suppose a creditor has taken any action against you. In that case, whether it’s sending letters, making phone calls, or filing complaints against you with consumer credit reporting agencies.
It could be construed as harassment, and the creditor could be sued for their actions. Always know your rights while adequately dealing with your debts.
