If a debt collector adds charges or fees not authorized by your contract or Minnesota law, they violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). You can sue for damages, with courts awarding up to $1,000 in statutory penalties plus compensation for financial or...
Yes, you can get your belongings back after repossession, since the lender only has the right to take the vehicle, not the personal property inside it. Still, reclaiming your items isn’t automatic or immediate. It takes prompt communication and careful documentation...
Artificial intelligence is reshaping many industries – and debt collection is among them. While AI can make the process faster and more efficient for companies, it’s also raising new concerns for consumers. Understanding how AI is being used in debt collection – and...
Dealing with pushy debt collectors can be stressful, especially when their tactics cross legal boundaries. If you're facing aggressive collection efforts, you're not alone. You also have rights. The federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the Minnesota...
Knowing that you owe a business money is a stressful situation. You know you’re going to have collection attempts, including phone calls, text messages and written communication. You may even have to deal with them trying to contact you at work or calling your...
Creditors and collection specialists have an interest in getting people to pay what they owe. They send letters, take legal action and make phone calls to collect payment for outstanding debts. Frequently, the phone calls that they make are especially stressful for...
More and more debt collection agencies are leveraging automated robocalls to make debt collection efforts. This has made it increasingly challenging for individuals to differentiate between legitimate calls and unsolicited (and, quite often illegal) ones. Many people...
Recovering from a serious illness and long hospital stay can be challenging enough without a hefty medical bill waiting at the end of it. For most people, this bill is nearly impossible to pay all at once. This debt can come with a range of consequences, from...
The personal bankruptcy process is complex. People spend months, if not years, trying to regain control over their finances. They may have to liquidate some of their property or maintain a strict household budget as they complete a multi-year repayment plan. The...
If you owe an outstanding debt, it’s natural that creditors are going to try to contact you to collect. In some cases, consumers are unaware of the debt that they owe, so simple contact is all that is needed. In other cases, creditors may have been trying to collect...