If you’re getting harassing phone calls from debt collectors you may have panic attacks just hearing the phone ring. And if those deb collectors are leaving voicemails that are threatening or harassing it can cause a lot of anxiety and even depression. But you don’t have to put up with harassing voicemails from debt collectors. There are many things that debt collectors aren’t allowed to do because of the FDCPA and if a debt collector is leaving voicemails on your work voicemail or on a shared line they are violating the protections listed in the FDCPA.
What Is The FDCPA?
The FDCPA is a law that was passed in the 1970s to protect consumers from shady practices used by debt collectors and to make sure that consumers weren’t being harassed or threatened by debt collectors. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act says that there are some things that debt collectors can’t do when they are trying to collect a debt like call you 20 times a day, or call you at 3 AM, or call you at work if you have told them to stop calling you at work. There are very specific rules that debt collectors must follow, including rules about voicemails.
![When Can Global Collection Agency Leave a Voicemail?*]()
What The FDCPA Says About Voicemails
According to the rules that are laid out in the FDCPA a debt collector must identify themselves as a debt collector on a voicemail. However, they also cannot discuss any aspect of your debt with a third party, including telling someone that you owe a debt. If your boss or your HR department has access to your voicemail, which is the case at virtually every company, that is a third party who has access to your voicemail.
So if a debt collector tries to leave you a voicemail at work they must identify themselves as a debt collector but identifying themselves indicates that you owe a debt and your boss could hear that voicemail which means the debt collector is violating the FDCPA. There is almost no way a debt collector can leave a voicemail without violating the FDCPA.
Harassment And Threats By Debt Collectors
Debt collectors are not allowed to use threats or intimidation to get you to pay a debt. They can’t threaten to have you arrested or threaten to get you fired or anything like that. If you have received a threatening voicemail from a debt collector save it because it could be evidence that the debt collector violated the FDCPA.
How An Attorney Can Help
If your rights guaranteed under the FDCPA have been violated by a debt collector an attorney that has experience working with consumer protection and the FDCPA can help you file a claim for damages or represent you in court.
Additional Resources
*Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be constructed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Global Collection Agency or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.