Despite the passage of a federal consumer protection law that has been on the books for more than 50 years, many consumers still endure the overly aggressive debt collection tactics implemented by debt collection agencies.
The harassing and intimidating debt collection practices include using abusive language and making repeated phone calls at all hours of the day. Perhaps the most intimidating debt collection technique occurs when a third party debt collector issues threats to coerce a consumer into paying off an outstanding credit card or personal loan account.
Did Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLC threaten you? If the company did threaten you, there are several ways for you to receive legal protections that stop the harassment and intimidation.
About Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLC
Operating several branches, Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLC concentrates the company’s resources on pursuing the personal debts owed by consumers. Operating for nearly 45 years, the bill collector conducts business mostly in Texas.
Accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since 2012, the company boasts an A+ rating handed out by the BBB. The BBB bases its rating on an independent analysis of a company’s overall performance. Consumer reviews have no impact on how the BBB rates businesses.
Type of Threats Banned by a Consumer Protection Law
Until September 20, 1977, American consumers had no choice but to cave in to the harassing and intimidating tactics used by debt collection agencies. After the United States Congress wrote the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) into law, the balance of justice began to move towards the middle of the legal scale.
The FDCPA prohibits third party debt collectors from making repeated phone calls to consumers at home and in the workplace. In addition, the FDCPA does not allow bill collectors to threaten consumers in any way. The FDCPA lists several threats that the federal consumer protection law forbids.
A third party debt collector such as Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson cannot threaten to arrest you for falling behind on your bills. The United State has never operated a debtor prison to punish consumers for falling on hard financial times.
A bill collector is not permitted to issue a threat to contact a third party regarding your debt. Third party calls are an effective strategy to motivate consumers into taking care of delinquent credit card and personal loan balances.
![Did Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP Threaten You?*]()
Are You Eligible for Monetary Damages?
Outlawing dozens of previously acceptable debt collection practices is just a part of the FDCPA. The landmark consumer protection law also grants consumers the right to seek monetary damages for the pain and suffering caused by overly aggressive debt collection techniques.
You have the right to seek statutory damages, which are capped at $1,000, for all violations of the FDCPA. Your consumer protection attorney might ask the court to require Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson to cover the cost of attorney fees.
The court also has the legal power to issue injunctive relief, which a formal decree that demands the debt collection agency stop all forms of communication with you.
Take control of your financial issues by working with a licensed consumer protection lawyer who specializes in handling FDCPA cases.
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 Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLC, or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to compensation.