What rights do consumers have when dealing with debt collectors?

In South Carolina, consumers have rights when it comes to being contacted by a debt collector. According to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, debt collectors cannot call you before 8am or after 9pm, or contact you at a time or place that is inconvenient (such as work). They must also provide you with evidence of their contact and a copy of the debt validation notice when they first contact you. Debt collectors cannot use abusive language or harass you in any way. This includes calling repeatedly, using threats of violence, or calling other people about your debt. Debt collectors also cannot call your family or friends to acquire information about you. In addition, debt collectors are not allowed to make false statements about the amount due or threaten to take legal action that they are not authorized to do. Debt collectors must also respect your right to dispute the debt in writing. If you inform the debt collector that you believe the debt is not yours or if you dispute the accuracy of the amount due, the collector must provide proof of the debt. If they cannot provide proof, then the debt must stop being collected. Finally, it is important to remember that you have the right to negotiate repayment terms with a debt collector. You can always ask the collector to lower the amount you owe or extend the timeline for repayment. If they refuse, you may want to consider seeking legal advice.

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What rights do consumers have when dealing with debt collectors?

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