Know Your Consumer Rights
The Federal Fair Debt Collections Practices Act gives consumers the right to sue abusive collection agencies and debt collectors. If you are being harassed by a debt collector you have the right to sue them for statutory damages of up to $1,000.00 plus your actual damages and your attorney’s fees and costs. If a collection agency is calling you at work after you tell them not to, or calling your family or neighbors, you should document these calls and contact us immediately to pursue your rights to enforce the provisions of this consumer protection law. Samples of typical violations by collection agencies and debt collectors are communicating with you even after you have told them in writing not to contact you further; or, contacting you after you have informed them you are represented by an attorney, such as your bankruptcy attorney; or, contacting family members or neighbors to pressure you to call them back, or by telling anyone else about your debt.
Debt collectors are also prohibited by law to charge you collection fees unless the original contract provided for those fees. They may not use abusive language, threats, or make false statements. In short, all deceptive practices and unfair treatment are against the law and we can sue them on your behalf.
If you have any questions about your rights under the Federal Fair Debt Collections Practices Act, please contact us at info@greenberglaw.net. A form to help you document contacts from a debt collector can be downloaded by clicking here.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act is another Federal consumer protection law designed to protect consumers from those all important and very powerful Credit Report Agencies, or Credit Bureaus.
This Act gives consumers the right to sue the agencies or a debt collector who reports false information on your credit report.
Both of these statutes have specific statute of limitations which means if you think your rights have been violated you should contact us immediately or you may be barred forever from pursuing your claims.
We can help : – Dealing with debt can be stressful, and the thought of filing bankruptcy can give you even more anxiety. Chicago bankruptcy lawyers at Lorraine Greenberg & Associates LLC are dedicated to practicing bankruptcy law for the benefit of our clients.
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