You are getting ready for a business meeting when the phone rings. You answer it in anticipation of speaking with a colleague about an upcoming project. Anticipation turns into disappointment when you realize the phone call is from a debt collection agency.
Not only has the representative from the company violated a federal consumer protection law by calling you at work, he has also violated an important federal consumer protection law by threatening to contact a relative regarding a personal debt.
Enacted by the United States Congress, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) outlaws the issuing of threats to intimidate consumers into paying of outstanding credit card and personal loan balances.
The FDCPA also forbids a debt collection agency from contacting you at work, if the company was informed your employer prohibits phone calls made on the job by third party debt collectors.
About Glass Mountain Capital, LLC
Active in the debt collection agency from more than 10 years, Glass Mountain Capital, LLC has received accreditation from the Better Business Bureau since 2009. The company has also received an A+ rating from the BBB, which is the highest rating handed out by the consumer advocacy organization.
Glass Mountain Capital, LLC has earned an A+ rating from the BBB for the efficient way it handles consumer complaints.
What Type of Threats are Prohibited by the FDCPA?
Issuing threats to coerce consumers into taking care of their personal financial obligations is one of the most common tactics used by bill collectors. However, the FDCPA not only makes it clear threats are unlawful, the federal consumer protection law also defines what type of threats violate the FDCPA.
Glass Mountain Capital, LLC cannot threaten to garnish your wages, although the company is within its rights to request a formal wage garnishment order from a civil court.
The debt collection agency is banned from threatening to contact a third party regarding your debt, which can be a friend, a neighbor, or a family member. Another common threat issued by third party debt collectors involves threatening to contact the IRS or a law enforcement agency.
Consumers should know that the United States legal system does not criminalize falling behind on bills.
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Do You Qualify for Monetary Damages?
In addition to making numerous previously acceptable debt collection practices illegal, the FDCPA also gives consumers the right to seek statutory and monetary damages for one of more violations of the federal consumer protection law.
Capped at $1,000 for all violations, statutory damages require your FDCPA lawyer to prove Glass Mountain Capital, LLC broke the law.
If your lawyer has a strong enough case to link the illegal actions of the third party debt collector with physical and/or emotional distress, you might be eligible to receive monetary damages for your pain and suffering.
Put an End to Threats
Only a FDCPA attorney can help you end the threats issued by a bill collector like Glass Mountain Capital, LLC. Your consumer protection attorney will decide whether to file a claim against the debt collection agency or instead, seek another legal remedy that does not involve filing a lawsuit.
Your FDCPA lawyer might decide to negotiate a debt settlement or invoke the statute of limitations for collecting debts 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 Glass Mountain Capital, LLC, or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to compensation.