Having to deal with a debt collection agency can trigger an incredible amount of anxiety. Every time the phone rings at work, you jump out of your chair because you fear it is a third party debt collector. The anxiety increases when you arrive home after a stressful day at work. Not only are you concerned that a letter from a bill collector is inside the mailbox, you are also concerned the letter contains abusive language and threatens to take you to court. You feel boxed into a corner, but instead, you should be relieved because you are protected by a federal consumer protection law.
Enacted by the United States Congress in 1977, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is considered the most effective federal consumer protection law at keeping bill collectors under control during the debt collection process. The FDCPA prohibits the previously legal act of making calls repeatedly to consumers throughout the day. A bill collector like Global Credit & Collection is not permitted to harass you at work, as well as not allowed to call you at home between 9 pm and 8 am. If you are under pressure from a debt collection agency, your best bet is to immediately get in touch with a licensed FDCPA lawyer.
Reporting FDCPA Violations to Government Agencies
Under the FDCPA, dozens of provisions set the legal tone for bill collectors. However, the powerful federal consumer protection law also encourages consumers to fight back against the illegal tactics used by debt collection agencies. Hiring a licensed FDCPA attorney should be at the top of your to do list. By working with a FDCPA lawyer, you receive the clout to have your third party debt collection issues heard by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC handles every legal facet of the FDCPA, including coming down hard on bill collectors for violations of the consumer protection law. Your lawyer might also inform your state’s Attorney General’s Office about the illegal activities committed by Global Credit & Collection.
![Where to Report a Global Credit & Collection FDCPA Violation*]()
Inform the Better Business Bureau
As the most powerful watchdog for consumers in the United States, the Better Business Bureau can make or break a business. If you want to report the FDCPA violations made by a third party debt collector, you can write about your encounters with the bill collector on the web page devoted by the BBB to the debt collection agency. Numerous poor reviews from dissatisfied consumers should give you the confidence you need to move your case forward to a civil court.
Filing a Claim for FDCPA Violations
When you file a lawsuit against Global Credit & Collection, you are filing a legal report with the judicial branch of your state. The legal report not only educates the public about the harassing tactics used by the third party debt collector, it also gives you the opportunity to seek just compensation for the FDCPA violations. Just compensation can include statutory damages for violating the FDCPA, as well as monetary damages for wages lost because of a garnishment order.
Take control of your FDCPA case by scheduling a free initial consultation with a highly rated consumer protection attorney.
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 Global Credit & Collection or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.