How can I stop debt collectors from harassing me?

If you are being harassed by debt collectors in California, the first step is to become informed and understand your rights. Under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, debt collectors cannot call or contact you at inconvenient times, such as before 8 am or after 9 pm. They are also not allowed to call you at work if you have asked them to stop. Debt collectors are prohibited from using offensive language, making false statements, or threatening to take action they have no legal authority to take. Fortunately, California has a law- the Rosenthal Act- which provides additional protection to consumers. The law prohibits debt collectors from contacting you directly more than twice a month, and prohibits them from publishing lists of individuals who owe debts. It also prohibits debt collectors from threatening to report false information to credit reporting agencies and from taking actions that are not allowed under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. If you feel your rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with the California Department of Consumer Affairs, or take legal action against the debt collector in state court. Additionally, you may consider reaching out to a consumer law attorney for advice on how to best protect your rights. Lastly, you can contact the creditor directly and attempt to negotiate an alternate payment solution.

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How can I stop debt collectors from harassing me?

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