If Gatestone & Co. International Inc. has been harassing you, you have probably felt helpless. You may have felt angry. You may have felt a mess of emotions that left you with a clouded mind and fearful attitude.
Those emotions are natural, but you can’t let them rule your life. Consider filing a claim against Gatestone & Co. International Inc.
Empower yourself by getting to know your rights and your options. You may have more of both than you think.
Know Your Rights
It can feel as though third-party collection agencies like Gatestone & Co. International Inc. can do whatever the company pleases. Fortunately, consumers are protected from the behavior of these agencies.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) prohibits third-party collectors using the following methods to intimidate you into paying them:
- Threatening to garnish your wages or seize your property
- Telling third parties (i.e., people who aren’t your spouse or your attorney) that you owe money
- Reporting false information on your credit report
- Impersonating a police officer or an IRS agent
None of this behavior is acceptable from a third-party collection agency. If you’ve experienced anything similar, find an attorney who can make it stop.
Attorneys who work on FDCPA charges won’t even get paid unless he or she wins your case for you, so don’t worry about payment immediately.
![Going to court against Gatestone & Co. International Inc.]()
Going to Court With Gatestone & Co. International Inc.
After filing a claim against Gatestone & Co. International Inc., the company will receive a notice. The notice is made up of a complaint and a summons.
The complaint explains why the company is being called into court, and a summons gives details on where and when to appear.
Whether or not you think you have an airtight case, you have to go to court. Make any arrangements you have to to be able to make it there on time. It may help to remind yourself that you cannot be put in jail for falling behind on your bills.
Having an attorney on your side can also make this process feel more manageable and transparent.
How to Prepare
You’ll want to start getting ready for your day in court by collecting the appropriate evidence against Gatestone & Co. This will help fortify your own defense against the agency’s claims.
Appropriate evidence could include a “bad debt list” where your name and address has been published by the agency or a profane voicemail message that a third-party collector left.
Gather that evidence and share it with your attorney (he or she will also be involved in this process).
Your attorney can also help you by practicing rehearsing the answers to the questions you’ll be asked. He or she will have the knowledge to be able to anticipate what kind of questions you’ll encounter, allowing you to prepare accordingly.
Take this process seriously, because it could be one of the biggest factors to your success.
Contact an Attorney
Being harassed by a third-party collection agency can leave you feeling lonely, and this feeling can intensify when you’re in the process of filing a claim.
Your attorney can offer you legal expertise, but one of the most important things that your attorney can offer you is his or her allyship. Don’t do this alone– call an attorney today.
*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 Gatestone & Co. International Inc. or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.