What should I do if I’m being harassed or threatened by a debt collector?
If you are being harassed or threatened by a debt collector in Washington, it is important to know your rights. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, debt collectors are prohibited from making threats or using abusive, oppressive, or deceptive tactics to collect a debt. In Washington, debt collectors are not allowed to threaten to take legal action or use profane or obscene language. If you feel that a debt collector has violated any of these laws, you should document the incident and consider filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission and/or the Washington State Attorney General’s Office. In order to do this, you will need to provide detailed information about the debt collector, including their name, address and phone number. It is also important to remember that you have the right to dispute any debt that is incorrect or unverifiable. If you do choose to dispute a debt, you must do so in writing and send a letter to the debt collector and keep a copy for your records. Finally, if you feel that a debt collector is intimidating or harassing you, you can always contact a consumer protection lawyer for assistance. They should be able to provide you with advice and help you determine the best course of action to take.
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