How can I protect myself from illegal collection practices?

Protecting yourself from illegal collection practices starts with understanding your rights under New York collection defense law. First, you must be aware that any debt collector must provide you with written notice that explains your rights. This notice must be sent before any demand for payment is made. Next, you should be aware that a debt collector cannot harass or intimidate you in order to collect money. Specifically, they cannot threaten you with arrest, call you repeatedly, or use obscene language. You also should be aware that a debt collector cannot report any false information to credit bureaus or contact anyone else about your alleged debt. They also shouldn’t tell anyone else about your debt, unless you have given them written permission. If you suspect that a debt collector has violated your rights, you should report them to the New York State Department of Financial Services. They can investigate the illegal practices and take legal action against the collector if necessary. Finally, you can defend yourself in court if you are sued for the collection of a debt. This will require the debt collector to prove that you actually owe the debt, and that the amount they are claiming is accurate. You can also bring up any violations of your rights as noted above.

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How can I protect myself from illegal collection practices?

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