Can a debt collector contact third parties regarding my debt?
Yes, in South Carolina, debt collectors can contact third parties regarding your debt. Generally, debt collectors are allowed to contact third parties in order to locate a debtor and verify the debtor’s contact information and employment status. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) places limits on when and how debt collectors can contact third parties. Debt collectors are not allowed to disclose any information about a debt or the fact that the debt collector is attempting to collect a debt to any third party, regardless of their relationship to the debtor. Debt collectors also may not indicate to a third party that they are debt collectors. In addition, debt collectors are not allowed to contact any third parties more than once to try to get information about the debtor unless the debt collector believes that the information provided by the third party is wrong or has changed. In South Carolina, debt collectors may contact third parties to obtain the debtor’s location information, but they may not make more than one request for the information. If the third party requests verification of the debt, the debt collector must provide it. Debt collectors may contact third parties to obtain information about the debtor’s identity, assets, and sources of income, but the third party must give written consent to the debt collector before it can disclose any such information. The South Carolina collection defense law provides legal protections to consumers against debt collectors that violate these laws. If a debt collector attempts to contact third parties about your debt in a manner that is prohibited by law, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission or the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs.
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