Have you fallen behind on your Zales credit card payment? Zales’ debt collectors may be calling you repetitively to try to collect the debt. It’s important to know that even if you owe them money, Zales cannot harass you or treat you unfairly to obtain what they think you owe.

Your Zales credit card account is actually owned and managed by Comenity Bank. This company is known for using harassment against debtors. If you face unfair treatment by Comenity Bank or other debt collectors, you should immediately contact consumer rights attorney Paul Mankin. Call Law Office of Paul Mankin, APC at 800-219-3577 for help.

Who Is Zales?

Zales Jewelers began in 1924 when the owners opened a retail store in Wichita Falls, Texas. They offered high-quality merchandise at the lowest prices possible. They also offered a credit plan that was unlike any other available. It included putting a penny down and paying one dollar per week on higher-priced items.

Zales’ marketing strategies were successful, and they eventually opened 12 stores across Texas and Oklahoma by 1941. Today, Zales has expanded to more than 700 stores and is one of the largest fine jewelry stores in North America and Puerto Rico.

Zales originally offered an array of high-quality jewelry, appliances, and cameras. Today they focus more on fine jewelry and other accessories. They have an emphasis on diamonds and bridal jewelry.

In 2014, Zales was purchased by the parent company Signet Jewelers, Inc., which is headquartered in Akron, Ohio. Zales now has other sister companies including Kay Jewelers, Jared the Galleria of Jewelers, and other smaller regional brands. Signet is the largest specialty retail jewelry company in the world.

Why Is Comentiy Bank Calling About My Diamond Credit Card?

Zales’ Diamond Credit Card offers many benefits, including the following:

• Zero down special financing
• Financing up to 36 months in length
• Welcome and Birthday gifts
• $100 off cardholder anniversary gift
• $100 off twice a year and other exclusive offers
• 10% off repair services for fine jewelry
• Cardholder-only special events
• Inspection and cleaning reminders

While the card is primarily used at Zales stores, the credit account is actually owned and managed by Comenity Bank. If you fall behind on payments, Comenity Bank will call and try to collect the debt.

If Comenity Bank is unable to get what they think you owe, then they may utilize a third-party collection agency to make calls for them. They may also sell your debt to another company, which will have the same right to get the money you owe.

Comenity Bank and these debt collectors are known to harass debtors like you. They often treat people unfairly and lie to them in an attempt to get money. If this happens to you, you need to immediately contact a consumer rights lawyer who can protect you. Call Law Office of Paul Mankin, APC at 800-219-3577.

What Does Comenity Bank Do to Violate Consumer Rights?

Comenity Bank and the debt collectors they use to get money for Zales credit card often harass people when they try to collect money. In doing so, they are violating state and federal consumer protection laws, including the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and California’s Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (RFDCPA).

Some of the illegal tactics Comenity Bank uses include:

• Using inappropriate and intimidating language on phone calls
• Threating a lawsuit without intent to file one
• Calling an unreasonable number of times
• Calling extremely early or late (before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m.)
• Discussing your debt with unauthorized parties

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that it receives more than 200,000 complaints annually about debt collectors using these illegal strategies. Despite claims against those companies, they continue to harass debtors because they don’t think people will take action against them. That’s why it’s important to work with a consumer rights attorney to stand up and force them to obey the laws.

State and Federal Laws Prohibiting Harassment of Debtors

You have rights to be treated fairly and honestly by creditors, even if you are behind on payments to the Zales credit card or others. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) are federal laws that protect consumers. Similarly, most states have consumer rights laws, such as California’s Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (RFDCPA).

• FDCPA – This federal lawprohibits unfair debt collection practices. Violations of this law should be reported to the FTC, which will enforce fines and can help you with a claim. Under the FDCPA, you can get statutory compensation if you are harassed by creditors.
• TCPA – This federal law applies to creditors and marketers who use telephones to contact consumers. It also allows the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to operate the national Do-Not-Call list.
• RFDCPA – This California law is similar to many other state laws. It requires creditors to treat debtors with honesty and fairness. You can get statutory and emotional damages under the RFDCPA in California and under laws in other states.

Compensation for Zales Credit Card Harassment

If Comenity Bank harasses you about your Zales credit card account, you may be entitled to compensation. The exact value of your case depends on several factors, including:

• The nature of the legal violations by creditors
• The number of violations by creditors
• Your actual damages

The FDCPA allows you to get up to $1,000 in statutory damages for harassment. You can also get money to pay for attorney fees and court costs.

California’s RFDCPA allows you to get statutory damages as well as money for emotional distress. In fact, some California plaintiffs have gotten up to $300,000 for emotional damages.

Contact a Zales Credit Card Harassment Lawyer Today

Zales has a positive history of extending credit to consumers. However, Comenity Bank, which currently operates Zales’ credit program, does not. Comenity Bank is known to harass debtors and use illegal tactics to collect money.

If you have been treated unfairly by Comenity Bank or another debt collector, contact attorney Paul Mankin right away. He understands how to use state and federal laws to benefit your case. Call Law Office of Paul Mankin, APC today at 800-219-3577.