Is it illegal for a debt collector to harass me?

Yes, it is illegal for a debt collector to harass you in Washington. According to the Washington Collection Agency Act, debt collectors must not engage in harassing, oppressive, or abusive conduct when trying to collect a debt. This includes illegal threats, repeated phone calls, or calling you before 8:00 am and after 9:00 pm. If the debt collector contacts you in any of these ways, it is a violation of the law and you can take legal action. The Washington Collection Agency Board also requires debt collectors to follow certain rules when communicating with a debtor. For example, debt collectors must identify themselves when contacting you, and they are prohibited from using profane or obscene language. They also must explain why they are calling and provide details about the debt, including the name of the original creditor. Under the state’s Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you also are protected from deceptive or misleading tactics that are used by debt collectors. This includes false statements or misrepresentations, or attempts to collect more than the original debt. If a debt collector is harassing or abusing you in any way, you can take legal action and sue them for damages. In summary, it is illegal for debt collectors to harass or abuse you in any way in Washington. If you feel you are being harassed or abused by a debt collector, you can file a complaint with the Collection Agency Board or contact an attorney to explore your legal options.

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