Falling into a financial hole because of a consumer debt can leave the strongest willed consumers feeling frustrated. Between mounting interest payments and large principals, it is difficult to climb out of the financial abyss.
Things get much worse when a debt collection agency such as Harris and Harris Ltd. begins to misrepresent themselves. Fortunately, a landmark 1977 federal consumer protection law prohibits third party debt collectors from deceiving consumers. Deception is a popular debt collection tactic that tricks consumers into paying off credit card and personal loan accounts.
About Harris and Harris Ltd.
Based in Chicago, Illinois, Harris and Harris Ltd. is a bill collector that specializes in recovering account receivables for businesses operating in the healthcare and utility industries. The company also does a considerable amount of business with the federal government.
Accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since July of 2018, Harris and Harris Ltd. has received the highest BBB rating of A+. Although the company has not received any negative consumer feedback for misrepresenting themselves, it has received negative feedback for making accounting errors on consumer debt accounts.
How Federal Consumer Protection Law Defines Misrepresentation
Passed by the United States Congress in 1977, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) devotes an entire provision to the outlawing of specific acts of deception. When Harris and Harris Ltd. contacts you, the company is bound by federal law to identify itself.
The representative making a phone call or sending a letter must also identify himself or herself. In addition, the FDCPA makes it illegal for a debt collection agency to misrepresent the amount of money owed on a debt, as well as misrepresent the time allotted for your state’s statute of limitations for the collection of outstanding debts.
In fact, some debt collection agencies deceive consumers by telling them there is not a statute of limitations for the collection of outstanding consumer debts. Third party debt collectors like Harris and Harris Ltd. must answer every question you ask with honesty and integrity.
![Did Harris And Harris Ltd. Misrepresent Themselves?*]()
Are You Entitled to Monetary Damages?
The FDCPA does much more than ban certain debt collection tactics. One provision of the FDCPA grants consumers the right to file a claim seeking monetary damages. With the help of a licensed FDCPA lawyer, you have the right to file a claim against Harris and Harris Ltd. that seeks statutory damages.
Capped at $1,000 for all FDCPA violations, the awarding of statutory damages requires your FDCPA attorney to prove Harris and Harris Ltd. commit one or more violations of the consumer protection law. It is important for you to maintain accurate records of every form of communication you have with a third party debt collector. Your attorney will need the records to present as evidence during a civil court hearing.
End the Threats Today
End the deceiving practices used by a bill collector. Most FDCPA attorneys schedule free initial consultations with clients to determine the best course of legal action. Your FDCPA lawyer might decide to contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
If there is not enough evidence to file a claim, your attorney has other legal options available, including sending a formal cease and desist notice to Harris and Harris Ltd.
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 Harris and Harris Ltd., or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to compensation.