You come home one day to find your spouse waiting for you at the front door. Your spouse is visibly upset and for a good reason.
DCM services contacted you regarding an outstanding debt.
Perhaps no other debt collection tactic is more effective in settling a consumer debt than the illegal practice of a third party debt collector discussing a debt with a friend, a neighbor, a family member, or a professional peer. Bill collectors reach out to third parties because the practice is used to shame and embarrass consumers into taking care of delinquent credit card and personal loan accounts. However, a monumental consumer protection law makes it illegal for DCM Services to reach out to a third party to discuss your debt.
Consumer Protection Law Forbids Some Third Party Contacts
Until September 20, 1977, American consumers were at the legal mercy of debt collection agencies that implemented overly aggressive debt collection tactics. In response to growing consumer frustration, the United States Congress passed the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). According to the FDCPA, DCM Services is banned from discussing your debt with anyone else. The key word here is “discuss,” as the third party debt collector can speak with a friend, a neighbor, a family member, or a professional colleague to acquire your contact information.
Although DCM Services can ask for your contact information, the company is permitted to do so just one time. The bill collector can ask for your phone number and mailing address, but the company cannot try to retrieve your work contact information. In fact, DCM Services is barred from contacting anyone in the workplace, if you let the company know your employer prohibits debt collection phone calls in the workplace. Under the FDCPA, consumers have the right to inform debt collection agencies that they have the “Right to know” their employer forbids phone calls regarding consumer debts.
![Did DCM Services Contact A Third Party Regarding Your Debt?*]()
Be Proactive When Dealing with DCM Services
Most debt collection agencies bank on consumer ignorance when it comes to knowing about the rights granted by the FDCPA. If DCM Services has discussed your debt with a third party, you should immediately speak with a licensed FDCPA lawyer. Your attorney will perform a comprehensive review of your case to determine if there is enough evidence to file a claim in civil court. If the actions of a third party debt collector has triggered physical and/or emotional distress symptoms, you might be eligible to receive just compensation for your pain and suffering.
The key to winning a claim filed against DCM Services involves presenting an abundant amount of compelling evidence. Your FDCPA lawyer will submit medical documents that verify your physical and/or emotional duress symptoms, as well as ask several healthcare experts to testify on your behalf. The healthcare experts will link your symptoms to the illegal actions taken by a bill collector. If there is not enough evidence to seek monetary damages, you FDCPA lawyer can consider one of a number of other legal options.
Never allow a debt collection agency to discuss your debt with a third party. Schedule a free initial consultation today with a consumer protection attorney that has compiled an impressive record litigating 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 DCM Services or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to compensation.