The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is weighing arguments it heard a few days ago about whether to revive a lawsuit over abusive debt collection. The suit raises the question of whether a debt collector can be held liable under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act...
Is it misleading if a debt collector says it ‘may’ report you?
Debt collectors do not have carte blanche. U.S. law prohibits the use of threats, harassment and falsities when dealing with debtors. These regulations shield regular consumers from untoward tactics and general unpleasantness. A recent ruling from the federal court of...
Debt collector harassment: how to know it when you hear it
Sometimes people think of debt collector harassment as U.S. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart wrote of obscenity: “I know it when I see it.” The phrase simply means that the definitions of “harassment” and “obscenity” can vary from person to person, and are not...
Can Minnesota residents stop debt collection calls?
Minnesota residents have enough issues concerning bills past due without the phone ringing off the hook. Most people would pay their bills if they could. They don’t need someone calling them, insisting on payment and telling them what they owe every day. Many people...
What vehicle repossession tactics violate FDCPA laws?
Most car loans include provisions in case you miss payments and eventually default on the loan. With a defaulted loan, the creditor generally has the right to take your vehicle to recoup their lost funds. A creditor may do this by selling the car outright, leasing it...
3 countermeasures to take with predatory debt collectors
If you have ever been behind or unable to pay a consumer debt that you owe, you have probably had the unfortunate experience to deal with a high-pressure debt collector. At best, debt collector tactics are annoying, but at their worst, they can be unethical and, in...
Questions to ask a debt collector who contacts you
It doesn't matter if you're surprised to hear from a debt collector or you were expecting the call, nothing changes the fact that you have legal rights that you need to protect. If you don't know what you should and shouldn't do, it's possible that you'll make a...
What does abusive debt collection look like?
When you're in debt, the last thing you need is someone constantly reminding you of your financial situation. Unfortunately, if your account has been sent to debt collection, you can expect some level of interaction with a debt collector. But there's something you...
What’s included in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act?
Knowing that you owe someone money might bring up feelings of wanting to get them paid off as soon as possible. When the person you owe is a business or agency and you are unable to pay, you might end up having your account sent to a collection agency. Collection...
What should you say to a debt collector who calls you?
If you have some type of past-due debt (and even if you don't), you could hear from a debt collector. A phone call from a debt collector can catch you off guard, making it difficult to respond in the appropriate manner. Fortunately, when you have a plan for what you...