What can a debt collector do if I file for bankruptcy?

If you file for bankruptcy in Texas, a debt collector may not take any action to collect the debt. This means that the debt collector cannot take legal action to collect the debt, such as filing a lawsuit, garnishing your wages, or otherwise attempting to collect the debt without court approval. The debt collector may, however, continue to contact you by mail, telephone, or other means to discuss payment arrangements, or to advise you of specific rights in the event of nonpayment. The debt collector also may report the debt to a credit bureau to reflect the fact that you have filed for bankruptcy. In addition, the debt collector may take other non-legal actions to collect the debt, such as contacting you in person, sending letters, or sending emails. The debt collector may even offer to make payment arrangements with you, but it cannot enforce those arrangements without court approval. Furthermore, even if you file for bankruptcy, the debt collector may not harass or abuse you in any way. This includes contact that is frequent, oppressive, or abusive to you or to any member of your household. The debt collector also may not use false, deceptive, or misleading representation when discussing the debt. Overall, if you file for bankruptcy, a debt collector in Texas cannot take any action to collect the debt, but may contact you to discuss payment arrangements. It also cannot harass or abuse you in any way, and must use honest representations when discussing the debt.

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