How can I protect myself from unfair debt collection practices?

There are several ways to protect yourself from unfair debt collection practices in Wisconsin. The first is by understanding your rights. The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions has enacted the Consumer Debt Defense Law, which is designed to protect consumers from certain debt collection practices. This law provides consumers with certain rights, including the right to dispute a debt in writing within 30 days of the date of the collection notice. In addition, you can request that the debt collector provide you with information about the debt. The debt collector must provide written proof of the debt, such as an invoice or statement from the original creditor, or if the debt has been sold to another collector, proof that the collector owns the debt. This information must be provided to you in writing before any payment is requested. You also have the right to insist that the debt collector only communicate with you through letters, emails, or phone calls. The debt collector is not allowed to contact you continually and must disclose information about the debt to you prior to attempting to collect payment. Finally, if you believe that the debt collector is engaging in any unfair practices, you can file a complaint with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. They can investigate and take appropriate action against the debt collector if necessary.

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How can I protect myself from unfair debt collection practices?

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