When a debt is owed, you are under an obligation to pay that debt. However, collection agencies that contact you to try to collect that debt have a certain standard that they are held to and laws they must abide to in the collection of that debt. Unfortunately, it is possible that collection agencies, including, but not limited to Nationwide Credit and Collection, may not abide by the laws that govern them. In such cases, it is in your best interests to know your rights and what you need to do to protect them.
Who Is Nationwide Credit & Collection?
Nationwide Credit and Collection is a debt collection company located in Oak Brook, Illinois.
In July 2008*, Nationwide Credit allegedly called a man in Orlando, FL eight times in three days. This was after the man allegedly reported that he sent a cease communication letter to the organization. The man also claimed that Nationwide Credit threatened his credit, allegedly saying that his debt would reflect upon his credit report and thus hurt his credit and future purchasing opportunities. These allegations by the claimant asserted against Nationwide Credit and Collection have never been proven in court.
Steps to Take If You Believe You Have Been Harassed by Nationwide Credit and Collection.*
So what should you do if you believe that Nationwide Credit and Collection or any other collection agency has violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)? If you are being harassed by Nationwide Credit and Collection or any other collection agency, the first thing you will want to do is send them a written request to stop all contact with you. Make sure the request is sent via certified mail, although you may also send a request via email or over the phone in addition to certified mail. If you are then contacted by the collection agency after this request is sent to them, keep a log or diary of all contacts. Write down the time of the call, the dates of the calls, the phone number they call from, and (if possible) the name of the person who is calling you.
If harassment by the collection agency does not stop after you write a cease and desist letter, you may want to consider suing the collection agency for allegedly harassing you and for allegedly violating your rights under the FDCPA. Under this act, collection agencies are not allowed to harass or embarrass consumers in attempts to collect a debt. If the collection agency violates any laws in place to protect your rights, you have the right to sue them for damages.
Oftentimes you can hire an attorney to sue a collection agency for violating your FDCPA rights without any out any expenses for legal fees. You may also be entitled to up to $1,000 in statutory damages, or even more for actual damages. Keep a diligent contact log with any one from the collection agency, and discuss your case with an attorney to determine what damages you may be entitled to.
*According to FDCPA.me
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 Nationwide Credit and Collection or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.