Falling behind on your bills can trigger an excessive amount of stress and anxiety. Imagine how you will feel when a debt collection agency begins calling you at work and at home throughout the day. Excessive stress and anxiety morphs into physical and emotional distress symptoms that negatively impact your personal and professional relationships. One of the most effective debt collection tactics used by third party debt collectors that stress out consumers involves implementing deceptive debt collection practices. However, a monumental consumer protection law passed in 1977 outlaws the use of deceptive debt collection tactics.
About Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson
In business for more than 40 years, Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP specializes in developing customized collection programs for government organizations that include toll authorities, as well as city and local taxation agencies. The West Hills, Texas bill collector has received accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). As the most influential consumer protection organization, the BBB hands out accreditations based on conducting independent reviews that do not involve including consumer feedback.
![Misrepresenting Linebarger, Goggan, Blair, & Sampson, LLP*]()
Prohibited Acts of Deception
Written into law by the United States Congress, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) represents a comprehensive consumer protection law banning dozens of previously acceptable debt collection tactics. Under the FDCPA, a third party debt collector such as Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson is not permitted to harass you by making repeated phone calls at odd hours of the day. The FDCPA also makes it illegal for the bill collector to deceive you in any way.
Deception in the form of misrepresentation includes a debt collection agency impersonating a law enforcement agency. You should be aware that it is not a crime to fall behind on your bills. In addition, the United States does not allow anyone to go to jail for not paying off a consumer debt. A debt collection agency is prohibited from impersonating the IRS, which is a powerful tactic used by some companies because of the fear instilled into consumers by the federal tax entity. Did Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP deceive you? If so, you should work with a licensed FDCPA lawyer to determine whether you have a strong enough case to file a claim against the third party debt collector.
Are You Eligible to File a Claim?
According to the FDCPA, you have the right to file a claim in civil court that seeks actual damages for the pain and suffering caused by physical and/or emotional distress symptoms. Your FDCPA attorney has to prove the symptoms you suffer from are directly connected to the deceptive debt collection tactics implemented by Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP. Some examples of physical duress symptoms include skin rashes, shaking and trembling, and extremely painful migraine headaches.
Speak with an Experienced FDCPA Attorney
By hiring an experienced FDCPA attorney, you will receive every right granted by the federal consumer protection law. Since Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson will bring legal representation to the table, you should do the same by scheduling a free initial consultation with a highly rated FDCPA lawyer.
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 Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP, or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to compensation.