You are enjoying a relaxing day off from work at home, when the door bell unexpectedly rings.
Standing on the Welcome Mat is your next door neighbor, who proceeds to hand you an open envelope.
You read the letter and are shocked to discover a debt collection agency sent the letter to your neighbor for the express purpose of discussing an outstanding debt that you owe.
Although this is an extreme example of a third party debt collector overstepping its legal rights, the example does represent a violation of a landmark consumer protection law enacted by the United States Congress in 1977.
Referred to as the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), the consumer protection law makes it illegal for third party debt collectors to harass and intimidate consumers into paying off delinquent credit card and personal loan balances.
One of the most common harassing debt collection tactics is for a company like Global Collection Agency to contact a third party regarding your debt.
When a Bill Collector Can Contact a Third Party
Although the FDCPA explicitly bans the practice of contacting third parties, the federal consumer protection law makes exceptions that consumers should know.
A company such as Global Collection Agency has the right to contact a third party to request your contact information.
For example, a debt collection agency does not violate the FDCPA when it calls your employer to request your cell phone number.
However, even the slightest reference to your debt can land the third party debt collector in legal hot water.
A company responsible for settling outstanding consumer debts can contact a third party regarding your debt, if you clearly give the company permission to contact a specifically named third party
![Did Global Collection Agency Contact A Third Party?*]()
Third Party Violations of the FDCPA
In our example, your neighbor received a letter from a bill collector. If the letter discussed any element of your debt, the company that sent the letter violated the FDCPA.
A debt collection agency cannot reference any section of a credit card agreement or worse, demand that a third party take care of your financial obligation.
Some third party debt collectors try to make third parties such as parents and siblings pay off delinquent credit card and personal loan accounts.
When a bill collector sends a letter to a third party regarding your debt, you need to save the letter as physical evidence to hand over to your FDCPA attorney.
A debt collection agency is also forbidden from contacting a third party more than one time, even if the second time involved just the request for contact information.
A Highly Rated FDCPA Lawyer Can Help
The FDCPA is not only a long list of outlawed provisions.
The groundbreaking federal consumer protection law also grants consumers the right to seek monetary damages for one or more violations.
This means that if a third party debt collector violated the FDCPA by contacting a third party regarding your debt, you have the right to file a claim in a civil court that seeks just compensation.
Schedule a free initial consultation today with a state licensed FDCPA attorney.
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 Global Collection Agency, or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to compensation.