Having to deal with frequent text messages and phone calls made by a debt collection agency can trigger stress and anxiety. Falling behind on bills is one of the most humiliating things that can happen in life. However, nothing compares to the high level of stress and anxiety caused by a debt collection agency leaving you a voicemail. The primary reason for the considerable stress and anxiety is that you might not be the first person to hear the message, especially if the message is delivered to your home’s landline voicemail system.
Are You Protected by Federal Law?
For most of American history, consumers were at the mercy of overly aggressive third party debt collectors that used intimidation to collect outstanding consumer debts. On September 20, 1977, all of that changed, as the United States Congress enacted the sweeping consumer protection law called the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
According to the FDCPA, a bill collector cannot call you after nine at night and before eight in the morning. In addition to restricting the time for making phone calls, the FDCPA also forbids third party debt collectors from making repeated phone calls to consumers. Although it is difficult to prove a bill collector made repeated phone calls that you answered, it is easy to prove the allegation if the phone calls found their way to your home voicemail system.
How the FDCPA Addresses Voicemails
Under the FDCPA, there is plenty of clear language that outlaws dozens of previously acceptable debt collection tactics. However, the mostly crystal clear language of the FDCPA does not include direct references to voicemails. By speaking with a licensed consumer protection lawyer, you should be able to determine if a bill collector like Radius Global Solutions, LLC properly identified the company, as well as the representative who left the voicemail. It is very hard for a debt collection agency to leave a voicemail, without violating the FDCPA provision stating a bill collector is not permitted to contact a third party concerning your debt.
![Can Radius Global Solutions, LLC Leave a Voicemail?*]()
Intimidating Voicemails are Illegal
Some representatives for a third party debt collector do not want to directly confront consumers, which makes voicemails the preferred form of communication. Leaving a voicemail can lower the guard of a debt collection agency representative who might resort to issuing threats into the voicemail system. The FDCPA explicitly prohibits the issuing of threats, from threats to seize your property to threats of a physical nature. In addition, a bill collector such as Radius Global Solutions, LLC is not allowed to leave you a voicemail at work.
Work with an Experienced FDCPA Attorney
Since leaving a voicemail can be considered a gray area of federal consumer protection law, it is important you schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced FDCPA lawyer. Bring in the recorded voice message left by a third party debt collector to give your attorney a chance to decide whether the voicemails have crossed the legal line. You might have more than enough evidence to file a claim in civil court. The voicemails also might have provoked physical and/or emotional distress symptoms that required medical attention.
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 Radius Global Solutions, LLC or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.