What rights do I have when dealing with debt collectors?

When dealing with debt collectors in North Carolina, you have certain rights under the law. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that prohibits debt collectors from using abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices when they are trying to collect a debt from you. Under the FDCPA, debt collectors cannot harass or abuse you. This includes using obscene or offensive language, calling you repeatedly, or threating to take legal action against you. They also cannot lie to you about the debt or amount you owe. You have the right to know who is calling you. Debt collectors are required to provide you with their company name and contact information when they call. You have the right to tell the debt collector to stop contacting you. Once the debt collector has received your written request to cease contact, they are not allowed to contact you again unless it is to notify that there will be no further contact or to let you know that they are taking a specific action such as filing a lawsuit. You have the right to dispute the debt and seek validation. If you think the debt is not yours, you can dispute the debt with the debt collector. If you do so, the debt collector must provide you with proof of the debt and information about the original creditor. Ultimately, your best protection is knowledge. Knowing your rights when dealing with debt collectors is the best way to ensure that you are treated fairly and are not taken advantage of.

Related FAQs

Can a debt collector ever contact me more than once a week?
Is it illegal for a debt collector to harass me?
What can I do if a debt collector is trying to collect a debt that isn’t mine?
Can a debt collector contact me if I’m on military deployment?
How do I know if a debt collector is legitimate?
Can a debt collector ever contact me via email or text message?
Can a debt collector demand payment or threaten arrest?
Can a debt collector turn a debt over to an attorney for collection?
Can a debt collector contact me if I’ve made a payment arrangement?
Can a debt collector contact me about a debt that my partner owes?

What rights do I have when dealing with debt collectors?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts