On behalf of Law Offices of Mark M. Kratter, LLC on February 26, 2013
Debt collector calls are something many Connecticut residents may have experienced. For all the collectors who are seeking repayment of a debt through the normal channels, some debt collectors take their actions much too far, resulting in a headache for consumers and possible legal trouble for those responsible. Any resident burdened by credit card debt or experiencing trouble paying their bills may wish to research bankruptcy as a viable option. Filing will often stop collection efforts, allowing consumers the opportunity to get back on their feet without dealing with creditor harassment.
Federal law prevents debt collectors from threatening anyone with violence in order to collect a debt. Using foul language, making an incessant number of phone calls or misrepresenting themselves as attorneys are prohibited practices. Collectors who claim they will garnish someone's wages or arrest them are also in violation of the law. Some people have experienced all of this and even more when faced with credit card debt collection calls.
One agency is accused of harassing debtors to the point that collectors inferred authorities would arrest them and remove their children. The company is now facing an FTC complaint about its actions. It is also accused of posing as a law firm and even collected attorney's fees. One woman claims she was contacted by the company multiple times, and stated collectors represented themselves as attorneys one day, but the next acted as a law enforcement agency. She has since filed a complaint.
Other collectors have threatened to harm debtor's pets if they didn't pay up, and even told grieving parents they would dig up their children's graves if they didn't pay the bills from the funeral. All of these collectors are now embroiled in lawsuits or complaints from consumers. Any Connecticut resident forced to endure this type of harassment over credit card debt or other overdue bills should know they have legal options. Actions like this are illegal, and debtors have the right to put a stop to these practices. Bankruptcy can assist people in the midst of financial trouble, and also stop debt collectors from continuing to harass them.
Source: Yahoo! Finance, "Debt Collection Horror Stories," Blake Ellis, Feb. 6, 2013
