What is harassment or abuse by debt collectors?

Harassment or abuse by debt collectors is illegal in North Carolina. Debt collectors are prohibited from using threatening language, obscene language, or profane language when trying to collect a debt. They may not use intimidation, coercion, or other kinds of abuse to try to collect a debt. Debt collectors may not threaten to take legal action unless they actually intend to do so and have the legal authority to do so. Debt collectors may not contact you more than once a week, and they may not contact you during unreasonable hours (before 8 am or after 9 pm). Debt collectors also may not contact you at your place of employment if they know that your employer does not approve of such contacts. Debt collectors are prohibited from making false or misleading representations about the amount of the debt, such as falsely claiming that the debt is larger than it is or claiming that the debt has not been paid when it has been. Debt collectors may not send documents that resemble court documents in an attempt to collect a debt. Finally, debt collectors may not use aggressive or deceptive tactics to collect a debt. This includes trying to collect money that is not owed, trying to collect fees that are not legally owed, or threatening to garnish wages if they do not have the legal authority to do so.

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What is harassment or abuse by debt collectors?

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