Receiving a letter or a phone call from a debt collection agency can trigger considerable anxiety. Imagine how you will feel when the same third party debt collector sends a letter or makes a phone call threatening to sue you for the unpaid portion of a delinquent credit card or personal loan balance. Far too many consumers are unaware of the legal protections granted by a landmark consumer protection law, with one of the protections banning the practice of threatening consumers with legal action.
Enacted by the United States Congress on September 20, 1977, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) outlaws a long list of previously legal debt collection practices. A bill collector like CBE Group is not allowed to use deception for the collecting of consumer debts. Deceptive debt collection techniques can include impersonating the IRS, as well as trying to collect more on a debt than is actually owed. In addition to dozens of legal protections, the FDCPA also gives consumers the right to seek just compensation for the pain and suffering caused by illegal bill collector actions.
Clear FDCPA Language Bans Threatening to Sue
Debt collection agencies typically go through a process that starts with a letter alerting consumers of the existence of unpaid debts. Then, phone calls may follow at home and at work to encourage consumers to take care of their past due accounts. If consumers do not take steps to address the debt collection efforts, many bill collectors ramp up the heat by using intimidation to coerce consumers into paying off delinquent credit card and personal loan accounts.
One of the acts of intimidation used by debt collection agencies involves threatening to sue consumers. However, the FDCPA makes it clear that threatening legal action is considered illegal. If a third party debt collector such as CBE Group threatens to sue you in an attempt to collect an outstanding debt, you should quickly get in touch with a licensed consumer protection attorney who specializes in litigating FDCPA cases.
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How to Fight Back against the Threat of Legal Action
Many third party debt collectors bank on the lack of knowledge consumers have when it comes to consumer protection rights. When you receive a letter or a phone call from a bill collector that includes the threat of taking legal action, you cannot afford to freeze in fear because of the threat. In fact, you must work with an experienced FDCPA lawyer to devise a strategy to stop the threats.
By simply hiring a consumer protection attorney, you might persuade CBE Group that you are serious about protecting your federally given consumer protection rights. CBE group might back down and restart the debt collection effort by proposing a settlement of your delinquent debt. This is another reason to hire a FDCPA lawyer. He or she possesses the negotiating skills needed to go head to head with the team of attorneys working with CBE Group.
It is imperative that you understand the legal protections given to you by the FDCPA. Speak with a highly rated consumer protection attorney to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your FDCPA case.
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*Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be constructed as legal advice. If you file a claim against CBE Group or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.