May 1, 2015
Dear
Cathy:
This
year I ordered my credit reports and I am seriously trying to pay my
bills. What rights do collection
agencies really have and can they call me on my job to harass me? Trying to Pay Bills in Virginia
Dear
Trying To Pay Bills:
You
have strong rights under federal law to prevent collection agencies from
harassing you especially at your job. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
bars collectors from threatening to harm you, your reputation, or your
property, and from using profane language or falsely claiming to be an attorney
or a government representative.
The
law also prohibits claims that you will be arrested or imprisoned if you don’t
pay and it prohibits late-night calls and repeated phone calls intended to
harass you especially at your place of business. Keep track of phone conversations and other
interactions.
You
can send a “drop-dead” letter by certified
mail to a collection agency. Once they receive it, they can only contact you to
let you know they will not bother you again or they will be filing a lawsuit
against you.
File
a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office if you are being harassed or if they
are not legitimate. If they continue to harass you after that, you can sue them
for actual damages, punitive damages of up to $1000.
To
put more money in your pocket this year read “Recession Survival Guide: How To Get Back Into the Driver’s Seat” – available as an e-book and paperback.
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