Despite the passage of a consumer bill of rights back in 1977, many debt collection agencies continue to use aggressive tactics to coerce consumers into paying off outstanding credit card and personal loan balances.
One of the most popular forms of aggressive debt collection efforts involves third party debt collectors using the telephone as a weapon to harass consumers. If you have received harassing phone calls from Linebarger, Goggan, Blair, & Sampson, LLC. you should know the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) prohibits bill collectors from making harassing phone calls.
Under the FDCPA, debt collection agencies are forbidden from engaging in dozens of previously acceptable debt collection practices. The FDCPA also grants consumers the legal power to seek monetary damages for the pain and suffering caused by third party debt collectors.
Consumers that have endured harassing phone calls should contact a licensed consumer protection attorney to determine the best course of legal action.
Types of Harassing Phone Calls
Harassment over the phone conducted by a debt collection agency can cover several tactics. For example, a third party debt collector is not allowed to use abusive language over the phone, as well as issue threats of any kind.
Bill collectors are not permitted to threaten consumers with legal action and they are not allowed to use threats to take private property for the paying off of credit card and personal loan accounts.
Another form of phone harassment involves deception. Some bill collectors like to trick consumers into paying off credit accounts they have already paid off. Another deceptive debt collection technique is to request more money from consumers that the consumers actually owe.
You should also be alert for deceptive practices such as a debt collection agency impersonating the IRS or a law enforcement official.
![How to Stop Harassing Phone Calls from Linebarger, Goggan, Blair, & Sampson, LLC*]()
How a FDCPA Lawyer Can Help You
Having to deal with the phone harassment practices of a bill collector can cause considerable fear and anxiety. Many consumers tend to panic when confronted by a debt collection agency, but there is a simple solution that will relieve you of most of the stress triggered by the harassing actions of a third party debt collector.
The simple solution is called hiring a FDCPA attorney.
A FDCPA lawyer will determine whether you have a strong enough case to file a claim against Linebarger, Goggan, Blair, & Sampson, LLC. If your attorney wants to move forward by filing a civil lawsuit, you should expect the harassing phone calls to stop.
To collect evidence of the phone harassment committed by a bill collector, you lawyer might ask you to tape record the phone calls. Taping phone calls works only if you live in a one party consent state.
Possible Monetary Damages for a FDCPA Case
Acute fear and anxiety can lead to a number of physical ailments that not only rack up medical bills, but prevent you from working at an optimal level or prevent you from working at all. Examples of physical distress caused by phone harassment include an ulcer and/or migraine headaches.
Your lawyer will submit evidence linking your physical duress directly to the harassing phone calls made by a debt collection agency.
Speak with a FDCPA attorney today to receive the legal protections that are listed in the landmark consumer protection law.
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 Linebarger, Goggan, Blair, & Sampson, LLC. or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.