Know Your Rights When Someone is Trying to Collect Your Debts
As much as possible, you have to avoid getting loans if you don’t want to be bothered by debt collectors. There are different types of debt collectors and they all have the same job- to get money from you. They will do everything they possibly could to make sure that they go back to their supervisors bringing the amount that you have owed from the bank or firm.
There are times though when these collectors start to be rude and arrogant. They really push you just so you can repay them. This is why you need to know what your rights are and avoid being abused by these collectors.
How to contact you
According to law, you must not be contacted before 8 in the morning or after 9 in the evening. You should also not be contacted while you are in the workplace, be it through calls or letters. This is true especially if you have told them in advance that your employer does not allow it. There are other debt collectors who are desperate in getting money from you that they will contact a third party to trick you into meeting with them. This is also against the law.
No coercion and lies
It is also important to understand that they can’t use deceptive methods to force you to pay. For instance, they claim to be law enforcement officers so you will be intimated. They also cannot send you letters telling you that you will be arrested if you don’t pay the amount you have borrowed. They might also use fake company name or give you false credit scores so you will be forced to pay. Any form of lie just to get you to pay is definitely not allowed. To top it all, they cannot touch you. Forcing you to pay through force or abuse is obviously against the law. You have the right to sue them in case they harass you in any way.
What they are allowed to do
Though there are laws protecting you as a borrower, there are also laws that provide them with protection. For instance, they are allowed to give you at most 3 letters per week or 3 phone calls. Of course, this must fall within the allowable time. They may also visit you at your home, but only between 9 in the morning to 9 in the evening. They are not allowed to meet you in person during weekends and holidays. You can also setup an appointment with them if you are ready to pay or if you want to negotiate with them to give you a more convenient payment plan.
It is extremely important that you understand what your rights are so you won’t be abused in any way. Yes, it is your responsibility to repay the amount that you have borrowed, but these collectors must not coerce you in any way. The company can take legal actions if you have already violated the terms and conditions, but harassing you in any way is totally unacceptable.
Photo Attribution:
Featured and 1st image tungphoto / freedigitalphotos.net
2nd image courtesy of pakom / freedigitalphotos.net
