When A Bill Collector Calls: Protection From The FDCPA
It is crucial that debt collectors have respect your privacy. According to the Fair Debt Collection Practice Act, collections agents cannot exchange information about persons that owe a debt. They can’t distribute a list of debtors to its creditor subscribers. They cannot advertise a debt for sale, or create a list of debtors to its creditor subscribers.
They can’t advertise a debt for the purpose of sale, or make a list of debtors for sale to others. They are not permitted to leave messages with third parties asking that the debtor to call them. The outside of envelopes sent by bill collectors should not indicate the purpose of the letter in any way. Postcards are always prohibited.
A collector is permitted to send mail in care of another person only if you reside at that address or if you receive your mail at that address. If you share your address with others the mail should be labeled “private” or personal. Basically, the letter can’t give any appearance alluding to the fact that it is a collections bill.
A debt collector that knows your name and phone number and therefore is able to contact you personally is not permitted to contact your neighbors or family members. If they cannot locate you and they do call your family members or neighbors, the collector must identify themselves by name but not tell the third party that they are a debt collector.
They can’t tell others you owe a debt or talk to them about account details. They cannot contact the person more than once, can’t leave information about a debt on a third party’s voicemail and they have to tell the name of the collection agency but only if asked.
If you are being contacted by a collector looking for your old roommate, relative or neighbor, the Fair Debt Collection Practice Act says that a debt collector may only get in touch with you to find the location of the person who owes the money. Only if the collector believes you have new information can they contact you again. If a collector contacts you repeatedly about a third party that can be considered harassment and you can file a complaint.
Mallory Megan is employed by a debt collection agency. Also, she writes articles on business, finance, consumer spending, and collection agencies.
