Can a debt collector contact third parties regarding my debt?
Generally speaking, debt collectors in Maryland cannot contact third parties regarding your debt. According to the Maryland Collection Agency Licensing Act, any communication to third parties is illegal, and debt collectors must only contact the person they are attempting to collect from or the person’s attorney. The Maryland Collection Agency Licensing Act does allow debt collectors to contact certain third parties to verify information about the debtor’s identity or location as long as they keep the nature of the communication limited to the verification request. In addition, debt collectors may contact third parties if they are attempting to take legal action against the debtor, such as filing a lawsuit. When it comes to privacy, debt collectors cannot give out personal information or details about the debt to third parties. In any communication, debt collectors are required to treat the debtor with respect and to abide by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Debt collectors are not allowed to harass or intimidate the debtor or third parties. If a debt collector contacts a third party with information about your debt, it’s important to keep a record of the conversation and contact an attorney right away. An attorney can advise you on the best way to proceed and may be able to help you resolve the issues with the debt collector.
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