FDCPA - How to Stop Bill Collector's Illegal Harassment

One of the main concerns when dealing with bill collectors is knowing how to safeguard yourself and handle the debt collectors and not let the situation escalate beyond your control. There a few ways to do that.

There is an act that was designed just for individuals that are trying to cope with the overzealous bill collectors. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is a guideline that must be followed when a debt collector is attempting to collect payment on a debt. It is prohibited by law for a collector to call your home before 8 a.m. and after 9 p.m.. They are prohibited from disturbing you with calls after you have insisted they do so, neither can they threaten to seize your salary. For more information go to => www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpa/fdcpact.htm#801.

If you have an answering machine, you can screen your phone calls before you answer them. Adding anonymous call blocking to your phone line can also help from receiving the unwanted collection calls. Well, at least from having to talk with the person on the other end. Should you decide to pick up the call, you can ask that the debt collector to stop calling you. Once you have stated to them that you don't want any further phone calls, legally they have to stop the phone calls to you.

You should seriously consider reaching an understanding with the agency to return what you can before taking drastic steps. In many cases, the collector is authorized to reduce the amount owed in order to collect the money. The calls from the agency will cease if you can reach an understanding on payment arrangements.

Keep a log of all calls between yourself and the collection agency. If you have agreed to any payments be sure that you write it down as well as the person you made the agreements name with. Try your best to keep the agreement you have made, if you are unable to keep it notify the company as soon as possible. If you have requested the collector to stop calling you, you can record any phone calls with them. Just make sure you notify them that the phone call is being recorded. It is usually helpful in reducing the number of disturbing calls.

For most of the time, you can usually bargain for the amount of cash you need to pay. It is common for the agency to get a small cut of the amount they can successfully retrieve. So, in many situations they will accept a smaller payment in order to collect any money. Any amount of money is better than nothing.

If you agree to a smaller payment, be sure to request that there should be no further negative marks placed on your credit report. Also, be instant that they promptly report the payments made as well as adjusting the amount that is owed on your credit report.

After you make an initial good faith payment, you should receive an agreement. In this agreement it should state the amount that is owed as well as the terms of the agreement. Send as little of a first payment as possible. This will ascertain that they keep to their word and do as the contract states.


------

Moses Wright is the webmaster of Bulletpedia. He provides more helpful information on debt consolidation help, and debt loan facts information on his website for free.