How to Report Bill Collector Harassment and Protect Your Rights

If you're being harassed by a bill collector, know that you have rights and options to protect yourself. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) prohibits debt collectors from using abusive, deceptive, or unfair practices to collect a debt.

To report bill collector harassment, start by documenting the dates, times, and details of each incident. This can be as simple as writing down the collector's name, phone number, and what they said. Keep these records for at least a year, as they may be useful in case you need to take further action.

You can also file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) online or by calling 1-855-411-2372.

Bill collector harassment is a serious issue that can cause significant stress and anxiety. It's defined as any behavior by a bill collector that is intended to intimidate, threaten, or coerce you into paying a debt.

Some common examples of bill collector harassment include contacting you too frequently or at unreasonable times, pressuring you to sell property or take out more debt, and using more than one collection company at the same time. These tactics are designed to wear you down and get you to pay up, but they're not allowed.

Bill collectors can't make threatening gestures or statements, ignore disputes about whether you owe the money, or try to embarrass you in public. They also can't continue to pursue the debt if it's clear you're struggling with mental health issues that make it hard for you to deal with your debts.

Here are some specific behaviors that are considered bill collector harassment:

Remember, you have the right to be treated fairly and with respect by bill collectors.

Physical or psychological harassment by bill collectors is a serious issue. They may contact you too frequently or at unreasonable times, making it difficult to manage your daily life.

Some common examples of harassment include pressurizing you to sell property or take out more debt, using more than one collection company at the same time, and not passing on a history of your debt.

Here are some specific types of harassment to watch out for:

Debt collectors may also use abusive collection tactics, including threatening violence or other criminal acts, using profane or obscene language, and falsely accusing you of fraud or other crimes.

Debt collectors cannot threaten violence or other criminal acts against you. This kind of behavior is unacceptable and may be considered a crime.

They also can't use profane or obscene language when communicating with you. If you're on the receiving end of such language, it's essential to document the incident and report it to the relevant authorities.

Falsely accusing you of fraud or other crimes is another tactic debt collectors shouldn't use. This can be very distressing and may have serious consequences for your reputation.

Threatening arrest or repossession of your property without proper court proceedings is also against the rules. If you're facing financial difficulties, it's essential to seek advice from a trusted source.

Debt collectors may use the telephone to harass you by calling anonymously or making repeated or continuous calls. This can be very stressful and may affect your mental health.

Here are some examples of abusive tactics debt collectors should not use:

Fraudulent tactics are a common way debt collectors try to get what they want from you.

Using a false name or identification is a red flag - it's a clear indication that something fishy is going on.

Misrepresenting the amount of the debt or its judicial status is also a problem. This can lead to you paying more than you owe.

Sending documents that falsely appear to be from a court or other official agency is a technique collectors use to intimidate you.

If a collector fails to identify who holds the debt, that's a major warning sign.

Misrepresenting the nature of the services rendered by the collection agency or the collector is another tactic they use to deceive you.

Debt collectors may also falsely represent that they have information or something of value in order to discover information about you.

Trying to collect more than the amount originally agreed upon is a common practice, but remember that your debt can grow with the addition of fees.

Here are some examples of fraudulent tactics:

Violators of the Texas Debt Collection Act are subject to criminal and civil penalties.

Under Maryland's Consumer Debt Collection Act, debt collectors are prohibited from using certain tactics, including using or threatening force or violence, and disclosing false information that affects your reputation for creditworthiness.

If a debt collector breaks the law, you have several options to report them. You can contact the Maryland Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division or call their hotline at (410) 528-8662, or contact the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) Commissioner of Financial Regulation.

You can also contact the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and/or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to report debt collector harassment. If you want to take further action, you can file a lawsuit against the debt collector for violating the Maryland Debt Collection Act.

Let's break down some key terms you should know when dealing with debt collection.

A creditor is the person or company you owe money to. This can be a bank, financial institution, lender, supplier, or any party that has provided goods or services on credit or has extended a loan to you.

Understanding who your creditor is can help you navigate the debt collection process.

Third-party debt collectors are companies hired to collect debt on behalf of another entity, like a creditor. They're essentially middlemen who help get your creditor the money they're owed.

Debt buyers, on the other hand, purchase delinquent debts from creditors at a discounted price. This can be a complex process, but it's essential to know who's involved in debt collection.

Here's a quick rundown of the key players:

Debt collectors are not allowed to contact you at inconvenient times or places, such as before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m.

If a debt collector knows your employer doesn't allow you to receive communication at work, they can't contact you there. This is to protect your work life and personal boundaries.

Debt collectors are prohibited from harassing or abusing you, which includes making repeated phone calls to annoy you, using threats or intimidation, or using bad language when communicating with you.

They can't lie about the debt or consequences for non-payment, such as falsely representing the amount owed or claiming to be an attorney or government representative.

Debt collectors generally can't disclose information about the debt to third parties, except to obtain your contact information.

Debt collectors in Maryland are heavily regulated under the Consumer Debt Collection Act. They may not use or threaten force or violence.

Harassment is a serious issue when it comes to debt collection. Debt collectors may not communicate with you or anyone related to you at unusual hours, too often, or in a way that harasses, oppresses, or abuses.

Employers are also protected under this law. Debt collectors may not contact your employer about a debt before obtaining a final judgment.

Debt collectors must also be truthful in their communications. They may not claim, attempt, or threaten to enforce a right knowing that the right does not exist.

Here are some specific things debt collectors may not do in Maryland:

The Protection Act 1997 makes it a criminal offence to harass people and put them in fear of violence. This law is a significant step towards creating a safer environment for everyone.

Harassment must happen on at least two separate occasions for the police to consider prosecuting under this offence.

Interest Charges can be a major concern when dealing with debt collectors. Debt collectors may collect interest, fees, charges, or other expenses to your debt only if they are expressly authorized by the agreement creating the debt or are otherwise permitted by law.

To understand how much interest is being charged and why, you can send a letter to the debt collector asking for an explanation in writing. Debt collectors are required to provide this information upon request.

You may also want to consult an attorney to determine if the debt collector is charging you more than allowed by law or by the agreement creating the debt. This can help you understand your rights and options.

Debt collectors are individuals or companies hired by creditors to recover money owed on delinquent accounts.

They pursue various types of debts, including credit card debt, medical bills, personal loans, utility bills, and more.

Debt collectors can include collection agencies, attorneys, creditors collecting for someone else, creditors collecting under another name, and others.

Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), creditors collecting for themselves are not considered "debt collectors."

If you believe a debt collector is harassing you, you can report your complaint to the Attorney General's Office. The Office uses complaints to learn about misconduct, but they cannot give legal advice or provide legal assistance to individuals.

You can also report your complaint to the FTC, which enforces the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. This Act prohibits abusive, unfair, or deceptive debt collection practices.

To report a complaint, you can use the following steps:

Remember to keep a record of your complaint, including the date and time you submitted it, and any correspondence with the agency.

Debt collectors are not allowed to visit your home without following certain rules. They must ensure that all persons visiting your property do not act in a threatening manner towards you.

If a debt collector visits your home, they must explain the reason for the visit and give you notice of the time and date they will call. They must also respect your wishes if you ask them not to visit you at home.

Debt collectors should not visit you if they know you are ill or vulnerable. This includes leaving if they find you are unwell or distressed.

Debt collectors must not come into your home if you do not want them to and must leave if you ask them to. They must also not visit you at work or somewhere like a hospital.

Here are some examples of debt collector visits that are not allowed:

Debt collectors can contact your employer, but only under certain circumstances. They can verify your employment, get your location information, or garnish your wages after a court has entered a judgment against you.

Debt collectors can call your employer once to verify your employment, but if they don't get a response to their written contact within 15 days, they can then call or contact your employer again.

Employers are generally off-limits to debt collectors unless the collector is trying to get your location information, has been given permission by a court, or is trying to enforce a judgment against you.

Here are some situations where debt collectors can contact other people:

A debt collector can contact your spouse, parents or guardian if you're under 18 or live with them, or your attorney. They can also contact credit reporting companies about your debt.

If you believe a debt collector is violating the law, you can report your complaint to the Attorney General's Office, which uses complaints to learn about misconduct. The Attorney General's Office cannot give legal advice or provide legal assistance to individuals.

You can also report your complaint to the FTC, which enforces the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act that prohibits abusive, unfair, or deceptive debt collection practices. Additionally, you can report your complaint to the CFPB, which may forward it to the company and work to get you a response.

If you're unsure about where to report your complaint, here are some options:

Make sure to report your complaint as soon as possible, as this can help prevent further harassment.

If you're dealing with debt buyers, here's what you need to know. Debt buyers are companies or individuals who buy debt from other creditors for a very low cost.

Debt buyers must abide by the same rules as debt collectors, including the Federal Debt Collection Practices Act and the Maryland Debt Collection Act. These rules are in place to protect consumers from harassment and unfair practices.

To collect debt, debt buyers must provide proof of the debt, which can include a document signed by you when opening a credit card or a statement showing you used the account. They must also submit evidence that they own the debt, including a list of previous owners and any paperwork associated with the sale of the debt.

Debt buyers must describe how much debt you owe, including principal, interest, and late fees. This is important information that you need to know in order to understand the debt and make informed decisions about how to manage it.

Here are the specific requirements that debt buyers must follow: