Receiving a letter from a debt collection agency concerning payment of an outstanding credit card or a personal loan balance can trigger fear and anxiety. You have read and heard the horror stories from consumers that endured harassment and intimidation delivered by third party debt collectors.
However, the horror stories should no longer be shared, as a groundbreaking consumer protection law prohibits dozens of previously acceptable debt collection practices.
Written into law by the United States Congress in 1977, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is considered the consumer Bill of Rights. Numerous provisions within the FDCPA ban aggressive debt collection tactics, including using abusive language in attempts to bully consumers into paying off debts.
Under the FDCPA, a bill collector such as CCS Companies cannot try to collect on a debt that you have already paid off. Debt collection agencies are not permitted to harass consumers by making frequent phone calls at odd hours of the day.
One of the most important provisions outlaws a debt collection technique that would make any loan shark proud.
How CCS Companies Threatening Legal Action is against the Law
Growing consumer anger about the abuse handed out by third party debt collectors led to the passage of the FDCPA. Consumers also play a huge role in getting a provision written that prohibits bill collectors from issuing threats.
CCS Companies is not allowed to threaten you in any way, from threatening to call the IRS to threats that claim you can expect a wage garnishment order signed off by a judge. The FDCPA also clearly makes it illegal for a debt collection agency to threaten legal action.
Wording of a threat can be direct like “You have 10 days to pay this debt or you can expect us to file a lawsuit.” An indirect threat to take legal action might look like this: “Settle this debt in 10 days or you will face consequences.”
![What to do if SImm Associates, Inc. Is Threatening Legal Action?*]()
Tips on What Someone Should Do When Threatened
First on your list of things to do after receiving a threat from CCS companies is to contact a licensed FDCPA attorney. Your lawyer will thoroughly review your case to determine if there is enough evidence to file claim against the third party debt collector.
If there is not enough evidence to file a claim, your FDCPA lawyer will recommend an alternative legal option. One of the legal options permitted by the FDCPA involves invoking the statute of limitations.
Modeled after criminal statutes, the statute of limitations for debt collections represents the amount of time a bill collector has to pursue debt collection efforts. Each states define its statute of limitations, which typically runs between two and four years.
The statute of limitations for your delinquent consumer debt should have started on the last day of activity on your account. Consult with your consumer protection attorney to learn exactly how much time CCS Companies has to collect the debt in question.
Never let a bill collector like CCS Companies push you around. Schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced FDCPA lawyer to determine the best course of legal action.
Additional Resources
*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 CCS Companies or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.