If you have a bill that has gotten behind, or if you are being falsely accused of owing a debt that doesn’t belong to you, there are resources that can help you and your loved ones. Enacted in 1978, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) was designed to put a stop to harassment from third-party debt collectors and to end unscrupulous debt collection practices.
Despite the strict laws, collection agencies like Westwood Management, Inc., often break the rules and continue to harass consumers. If they don’t validate your debt, you do have legal recourse available.
What Is A Debt Validation Letter And Why Do You Need It?
Don’t start repaying the debt to Westwood Management, Inc., until there is proof that you owe the debt. You have the legal right to ask for validation of the debt. You will send them a letter to ask for validation of the debt, and they must respond to your request within 5 days of receiving it.
They must include the total amount of the debt, details about the original debt, any fees or charges added on it, and proof of your responsibility. The FDCPA says that Westwood Management, Inc., or any third-party debt collector must respond to your request for validation of the debt.
If they don’t respond to the deadline, they have violated the FDCPA. You can file an FDCPA claim against Westwood Management, Inc., at that point to recover compensation for the damages that they have caused.
![Did Westwood Management, Inc., Not Validate Your Debt?]()
Damages You May Be Entitled To Recover
If you have a successful FDCPA claim against Westwood Management, Inc., you can recover $1,000 in statutory damages. Actual damages may also be awarded, including emotional and physical damages.
Ailments should be visible and more easily proven, such as stress-induced heart problems, migraines, and rashes. You can ask to be compensated lost wages and garnished pay and you can ask that Westwood Management, Inc., be held responsible for your court costs and legal fees.
If you suffer from depression, stress, or anxiety, you may want to claim emotional distress or mental anguish. Provide supporting documentation such as medical bills, medical records, and proof of missed work and lost wages.
With supporting evidence, you are likely to show that Westwood Management, Inc., caused damages. Keep copies of all documentation and correspondence to support your claim.
Speak With An FDCPA Attorney
If Westwood Management, Inc., hasn’t responded to your request for the debt to be validated, you can file a legal claim against them. Talk with an FDCPA attorney who handles debt collector harassment cases in your area. The attorney will detail your rights and will help you get the harassment to stop.
Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page to share the details with an attorney who handles such cases in your area. Stop the harassment from Westwood Management, Inc., today by getting an attorney on board to put the mistreatment of the debt collector to a halt.
Additional Resources
*Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be constructed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Westwood Management, Inc. or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.