Debt collectors have a long history of bad business practice. They lie, intimidate, threaten, and harass. In 1977, the Federal Government established the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) to curb abusive debt collection practices. Under the FDCPA, a debt collector cannot engage in a number of practices including (1) calling a debtor before 8am or after 9am, (2) repeatedly calling a consumer causing the telephone to ring nonstop, (3) calling a consumer at their workplace, (4) threatening arrest or legal action that is not actually contemplated, (5) and using abusive or profane language. One of the most powerful protections under the FDCPA is that a debt collector is prohibited from contacting a consumer they know is represented by an attorney.
Despite these powerful protections under Federal Law, many consumers remain unaware of their legal rights and debt collectors continue to lie, scam, and intimidate consumers into payment. Recently the state of Florida ceased the business operations of the company engaging in outrageous debt collection practices.
This company used scare tactics and fraud to intimidate consumers into paying debts that were often fabricated, already paid, or to collect on debts that this collection agency had no legal standing to collect. It is of the utmost importance that a consumer in debt uses the law to empower themselves. The debt collectors will employ any means necessary to achieve payment, so using a qualified debt settlement attorney to represent you against them levels the playing field. If you are a consumer in debt, contact a debt settlement attorney and know your legal rights.