It started with a letter sent by Arnold Scott Harris, P.C. asking you to make arrangements to pay off an outstanding consumer debt. After ignoring the letter and a few subsequent letters, the debt collection agency begins to light up your cell phone throughout the day. The phone calls are initially pleasant discussions, but suddenly one day, a representative from Arnold Scott Harris, P.C. begins to make threats concerning the money you owe on a personal loan account. Did Arnold Scott Harris, P.C. threaten you?
If the third party debt collector threatened you, there is a federal consumer protection law that makes the debt collection tactic illegal. Passed into law by the United States Congress, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act forbids a long list of longstanding debt collection tactics. For example, a bill collector is not allowed to deceive you into paying off a consumer debt that you have already settled. Deception can include a third party debt collector impersonating a law enforcement agency. The 1977 consumer protection law also contains a provision that outlaws the issuing of threats.
About Arnold Scott Harris, P.C.
With an A+ rating handed out by the Better Business Bureau, Arnold Scott Harris, P.C. appears to be in good standing with the consumer advocacy organization. The Chicago based debt collection agency has received numerous complaints, with consumers emphasizing the third party debt collector does not abide by the FDCPA provision banning the making of repeated phone calls. Opened since 1977, Arnold Scott Harris, P.c. has not received accreditation from the BBB.
![Did Arnold Scott Harris, P.C. Threaten You?*]()
Types of Threats Forbidden by the FDCPA
The United States Congress did not write a simple provision that reads “Issuing threats is illegal.” Instead, Congress listed numerous examples of threats the FDCPA considers illegal. A debt collection agency like Arnold Scott Harris, P.C. cannot threaten you with bodily harm, even if the company perceives the threat to be a joke. The company cannot threaten to seize your property or threaten you with a court order that has approved the seizure of your property.
In response to consumer requests, the United States Congress addressed the threat of contacting a third party. Although another FDCPA provision outlaws contacts with third parties, the provision of the FDCPA that prohibits threats clearly makes it illegal for a bill collector to threaten calling a friend, a relative, or a professional peer.
Seeking Actual Damages
If you feel Arnold Scott Harris, P.C. threatened you in any way, you should speak with a licensed consumer protection attorney that has successfully litigated several FDCPA cases. Your lawyer will perform an exhaustive review of your case to determine whether there is enough evidence to move forward with filing a claim. Within your claim, your FDCPA attorney has the option to seek monetary damages for the pain and suffering caused by physical and/or emotional distress symptoms. Your FDCPA lawyer will present medical documentation confirming you physical and/or emotional duress symptoms, as well as call to the stand medical experts that will back up your assertions. The FDCPA does not cap the amount of money you can win for actual damages.
Schedule a free initial consultation with an FDCPA attorney to learn more about the groundbreaking federal consumer protection law.
Additional Resources
*Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Arnold Scott Harris, P.C., or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to compensation.