Being Harassed By Debt Collectors? You Have Rights That Protect You.
Have you ever experienced a creditor or debt collector that calls you again and again at all hours of the day demanding payment and often threatening to file a lawsuit or garnish your wages if you do not pay? At the Law Office of Paul Mankin, we understand that managing debt is stressful enough without abusive and threatening debt collection practices. The good news is that you do not have to tolerate creditor harassment and violations of the FDCPA.
After hearing evidence of the use of abusive and unfair practices by debt collectors and the negative consequences that these practices have on consumers' finances, marriages, employment, and health, Congress enacted the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). The FDCPA is a federal law designed to regulate debt collections and protect consumers. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is responsible for enforcing the FDCPA and ensuring that creditors do not use abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices when they collect debts. There is also a California law called the Rosenthal Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (RFDCPA) that protects consumers from original creditors too.
Despite these protections, some debt collectors continue to use unsavory practices hoping that you are not aware of your rights. If you believe that a creditor is harassing you, it is time for you to reach out to a lawyer who can protect you. At the Law Office of Paul Mankin, we represent consumers just like you who have been harassed by debt collectors.
Who Is Considered a Debt Collector?
The FDCPA defines a debt collector as anyone in the business of collecting debts on behalf of a creditor. Although the FDCPA regulates activities of debt collectors, the FDCPA does not regulate actions taken by the original creditor.
What Types of Debt Are Covered by the FDCPA?
The FDCPA regulates creditors who are collecting on personal debts, such as credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, medical bills, and student loans. The FDCPA does NOT regulate creditors who are collecting on business debts.
Use the FDCPA and RFDCPA to fight back against abusive corporations. Here are some common FDCPA violations that debt collectors commit.
What happens when you don't pay a bill?
Has a credit or debt collector called you before 8 a.m. and after 9 p.m.?
Have you received multiple calls a day from the same debt collector?
Have you received calls from a debt collector or creditor for a debt owed by another person?
Have you received calls from a debt collector or creditor at your place of work/employment?
Has a debt collector or creditor attempted to collect more money that you actually owe?
Has a debt collector or creditor attempted to collect a debt that you already paid?
Have you receive multiple calls a day from the same debt collector or creditor?
Has a debt collector or creditor threatened you with a lawsuit if you did not pay?
Has a debt collector or creditor threatened you with hurting your credit if you did not pay?
Has a debt collector or creditor threatened you with wage garnishment?
Has a debt collector or creditor threatened you with taking money out of your bank account?
Has a debt collector or creditor called your family, friends, or references without your permission?
Has a debt collector or creditor been verbally abusive to you?
Has a debt collector or creditor ever used profane language during a phone call with you?
Has a debt collector or creditor ever insulted you while attempting to collect money from you?
Are debt collectors sending you collection letters?
Has a debt collector or creditor ever attempted to collect an old debt from you?
Has a debt collector or creditor tried to collect a debt that was eliminated in bankruptcy?
What is the Difference Between a Creditor and a Debt Collector?
Has a Debt Collector or Creditor Allowed your Phone to Ring Continuously?
Has a Debt Collector or Creditor Published your name as Someone who Refused to Pay?
Has a Debt Collector or Creditor Threatened to have you Arrested if you did not Pay?
Has a Debt Collector or Creditor contacted you and not given you the Mini-Miranda warning?
Has a Debt Collector or Creditor impersonated a police officer in an attempt to collect a debt?
Has a Debt Collector or Creditor sued you and failed to properly notify you of the lawsuit?
Has a debt Collector or Creditor sued you, then told you the paperwork you got was not a lawsuit?
Has a debt collector or creditor threatened to take some kind of action against you?
What Questions Should You Get Answered Before You Pay a Debt Collector?
What New Proposals to the FDCPA Could Mean for Consumers?
When is a Debt Considered Time Barred?
How are Debt Collectors Allowed to Contact Me?
Who Can I report Debt Collector Harassment To?
Am I Responsible for My Spouses Debt?
What are the Most Common FDCPA Violations?
Can a Debt Collector Garnish My Wages?
Am I Responsible for My Ex-Spouse's Debt?
Do I Have Rights to Stop Harassing Phone Calls?
Who is Garnishing My Wages and How do I Stop Them?
Can a Debt Collector Take My House?
Can a Debt Collector Harass You?
Can Debt Collectors Add Collection Fees to the Debt You Owe?
How to File a Complaint Against a Debt Collector?
Can I go to Jail for Not Paying a Bill?
Unconventional Ways Debt Collectors May Contact You
What Happens if I Owe Income Taxes?
We Make Harassing Debt Collectors Pay You
If a debt collector violates the FDCPA or RFDCPA, you could be compensated by the collection agency or creditor up to $1,000.
What does this mean for you? It means that we will make the debtor collector or creditor stop calling and harassing you, and if we win your case, the debt collector or creditor will have to pay YOU money.
Who Do We Represent?
We only represent consumers like yourself against debt collectors and creditors. We do not represent corporations EVER! Most of our debt harassment clients live in San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, but we will represent clients all over California.
What Type of Debt Do I Have To Have?
We represent consumers being harassed by with all types of different debts. Credit Card debt is probably the most common, but we also assist consumers with car loans, student loans, payday loans, medical debts, car title loans, and home loans.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire Us?
It does not cost you anything to hire me to help you with your case. I advance all the costs and provide my labor upfront at no cost to you. I don't get paid unless we win your case. If we win your case, the debt collector or creditor must pay my fees and the costs under the law. If we don't win your case, you don't have to pay any of my fees or costs.
What To Expect When You Work With Us
When you work with us, you can expect a legal team that fights hard for you. We help consumers stop debt collectors in San Diego, Los Angeles, and in all the other California cities. You can expect an attorney who talks with you in straightforward ways about your rights. You'll never be overwhelmed by legal jargon or court procedures that you just don't understand.
Instead, you will work closely with one of our experienced lawyers from the moment we take your case until the matter is resolved. We are genuinely concerned for your well-being and want to make sure that the creditors or debt collectors who harass you are immediately stopped.
Get Help. Stop Collection Calls.
Call us toll free at 1-800-219-3577 or contact us online. You may also download our free online book.