Is it illegal for a debt collector to harass me?
It is illegal for a debt collector to harass you in California. Debt collectors must abide by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). This act was passed by the US government to protect consumers from unfair debt collection practices. Under the FDCPA, debt collectors are prohibited from using any form of harassment, including but not limited to obscene or profane language, threats, or repeated telephone calls or attempts to contact you at odd hours or inconvenient places. A debt collector cannot threaten to take any legal action against you or make any false or deceptive statements about you. Additionally, debt collectors must provide you with accurate information about the debt you owe and your rights. If a debt collector contacts you, they are required to provide the name of their company, the amount of the debt, and advice that if you request it, they will send you written evidence of the debt. If they do not provide this information, they are violating the law. So, to answer your question, yes, it is illegal for a debt collector to harass you in California. If you believe that a debt collector is harassing you, you can take legal action against them by filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
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