Being in debt can be emotionally tying as it is. But add the feeling of being harassed by a third-party collector and you may find yourself deep in a well of shame or suffering.
Things shouldn’t be this way for you. Especially because if you are being harassed by a third-party collector in Michigan (or any other state), the law is probably on your side.
This is because if they are harassing you, they may be in violation of the Federal Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). This federal law prohibits certain types of bad behavior on the part of third-party collectors. They can’t engage in behavior such as calling at odd hours, calling repeatedly, collecting an amount that wasn’t agreed upon, or making threats. And the list doesn’t end there.
Suffering any of the previously mentioned violations means that you should consider contacting an FDCPA attorney. You don’t deserve this harassment, and an FDCPA attorney is in the best position to help you. A knowledgeable attorney can help you regain some peace and help you gain some compensation.
Michigan’s Debt Collection Protections
Most of the debt protections that you will get in Michigan come from the FDCPA. That being said, there are some components of the debt protection laws that are a bit more specific.
![Harassed in Michigan?]()
Under Michigan’s law, each collection agency must be licensed with the state in order to operate. This means that in theory, collection agencies are more likely to hold themselves accountable. Moreover, if you suspect that the collection agency that is harassing you isn’t legitimate, then you could have grounds for recourse even without invoking the FDCPA.
Laws Under the FDCPA
Luckily, the FDCPA covers a good deal of horrible behavior. It forbids third-party collectors in Michigan and across the country from doing the following:
- Using profane language
- Asking you to pay more than you owe
- Threatening to freeze your bank account
- Calling you at odd hours, such as before 8 a.m. and after 9 p.m. in your time zone
- Threatening to seize your property
The FDCPA offers quite a few protections for consumers, and they aren’t limited to the aforementioned ones. You can find out about the additional protections here.
Talk to An FDCPA Attorney Today
There is absolutely no need for you to be silent in the face of harassment from a third-party collector. Not only does that third-party collector deserve to be punished for his or her violations, but you deserve respect and peace.
The best way to gain those two things if you are being harassed by a third-party collector is by speaking to an FDCPA attorney about your case and your options. That attorney will have a sense of how to proceed and protect you from unscrupulous third-party collectors.
Moreover, if you decide to file suit, you may receive financial compensation. Each FDCPA violation could cost the third-party collector $1,000. While it won’t erase the suffering that occurred, it will at least make the present a little more pleasant.