Falling behind on the payment of just one credit card or one personal loan account can trigger a considerable amount of stress. Just when you thought you had the stress under control, a debt collection agency like National Creditor Adjusters starts calling you at home and at work in an attempt to collect what you owe.
What began as a polite request for you to settle the debt has turned into angry conversations that include the use of intimidating debt collection tactics. Fortunately, a groundbreaking consumer protection law enacted by the United States Congress provides you with legal protections to fight back against bill collector abuse.
About National Credit Adjusters
In business for nearly six decades, National Credit Adjusters operates out of Hutchinson, Kansas. With a Better Business Bureau (BBB) file that opened in 1965, you have more than 50 years of consumer reviews to read regarding the third party debt collector. The BBB gives the company a rating of A-, which is considered a good rating that includes a few issues for the bill collector. In its review of National Credit Adjusters, the BBB mentions the company has at times crossed the legal line when it comes to collecting delinquent credit card and personal loan balances.
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The FDCPA Prohibits Overly Aggressive Debt Collection Practices
Before September 20, 1977, bill collectors had few restrictions placed on the companies in regards to using debt collection tactics. Responding to growing consumer anger, the United States Congress enacted the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). According to the FDCPA, debt collection agencies are forbidden from using deception in attempts to collect outstanding consumer debts. Deception can include trying to make consumers pay more than what they owe, as well as impersonating a law enforcement official.
The FDCPA also addresses the longstanding technique of issuing threats. Under the FDCPA, National Credit Adjustors cannot threaten to use the IRS to coerce you into taking care of an outstanding debt. You also do not have to tolerate threats of contacting a law enforcement agency, as the United States has never operated debtor prisons. National Credit Adjusters is not allowed to threaten you with asset seizure. Some bill collectors threaten to seize private property to convince consumers that private property is fair game for liquidation into cash.
Damages Awarded in FDCPA Cases
Simply outlawing dozens of previously legal debt collection tactics was not enough for the United States Congress. The governing body also granted consumers the right to file claims seeking just compensation for the pain and suffering caused by illegal debt collection agency actions. If National Credit Adjustors threatened you in any way, you might be eligible to receive statutory and/or actual damages. Capped at $1,000, statutory damages represent the money awarded for every violation of the FDCPA. Actual damages, which are not capped by the FDCPA, cover the cost of losing wages and the medical expenses accumulated because of the illegal actions taken by a third party debt collector.
Be proactive when it comes to dealing with the threats issued by a bill collector. Schedule a free initial consultation with a licensed consumer protection attorney who has compiled an impressive record of winning FDCPA cases.
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 National Credit Adjusters, or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to compensation.