All it takes is a minor medical emergency and you find yourself in deep debt. Even if you have a plan agreed with your creditors, it can be hard trying to pay back accumulated debt. What makes it worse is when a debt collector like CMRE Financial Services Inc. comes after you. Harassment can soon turn ugly and become outright threats. If this is what has happened to you, you may be able to sue the debt collector for a violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). A FDCPA lawsuit attorney can help you with a lawsuit against a threatening debt collection agency.
About CMRE Financial Services, Inc.
CMRE Financial Services Inc. is a California based debt collection agency that collects debt that is owed to their clients. The agency’s headquarters are listed as being in Brea, California. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) maintains a file on the company, even though it does not have accreditation. The BBB accepts consumer clients, even though it doesn’t have a mandate for addressing concerns. The BBB lists 38 complaints to date about the behavior of CMRE Financial Services. Most complaints are about constant day and night pestering and a refusal to address or apologize for debtor’s concerns about the level of harassment or when the agency gets the wrong person by mistake.
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What is Considered a Threat?
When debt collection agencies pester debtors, it is bad enough and is often a clear violation of the FDCPA. When an agency starts to threaten a debtor, then this becomes a more obvious violation and can precipitate a lawsuit against the collection agency. Examples of types of action considered to be threats by the FDCPA include any combination of the following:
- threats of actual physical violence, including those that are of a criminal nature;
- attempts to intentionally damage the reputation of the debtor by publishing names;
- attempts to take property by force;
- threatening to garnish wages;
- threatening to get you arrested for not paying your debt on time.
Damages You May Be Entitled to
Debtors that prove their cases in a court of law are eligible to receive $1,000 for statutory damages. In addition, the court might award actual damages, which include physical and emotional damages, as well as compensation for lost wages and wage garnishment. The debt collector might also have to cover a debtor’s attorney fees. Physical damage awards typically cover easy to prove ailments like rashes, severe headaches, and cardiovascular issues. Stress and anxiety prompt attorneys to file damage claims for emotional distress.
End the Threats Today
There is little to be gained putting up with any kind of threat from a debt collector. Once they cross the line in the direction of illegality and violation of the FDCPA it is time to contact a consumer law attorney near you to arrange a lawsuit against the agency. You are free to use the Free Evaluation form below to locate a suitable FDCA lawsuit attorney in your state.
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 CMRE Financial Services, Inc., or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to compensation.