What should I do if I’m being hounded by a debt collector?

If you’re being hounded by a debt collector in North Carolina, there are certain laws in place to protect you. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, debt collectors are restricted from engaging in unfair, abusive, or deceptive practices when attempting to collect a debt. For example, debt collectors are not allowed to call you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. Additionally, debt collectors are not allowed to harass you or threaten you with violence. If they do, you can report them to the Federal Trade Commission. You should also know that debt collectors are obligated to provide you with certain information, including the amount of the debt, the creditor’s name, and proof that the debt is yours. If you’re not sure if you owe the debt, you can ask the debt collector to provide this information to you. You are also allowed to dispute the debt with the debt collector. If you do, they must stop any collection activities until they can verify the debt. Once they’ve verified the debt, they are allowed to resume their collection activities. Finally, you may also choose to dispute the debt with the credit bureau. If you do, the debt collector is required to investigate your dispute and provide any relevant information to the credit bureau. If you feel that a debt collector has violated any of these laws, you can file a complaint with the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office. The Attorney General’s Office will investigate the complaint and may take appropriate action if needed.

Related FAQs

Does the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act apply to all types of debt?
Can a debt collector contact me if I’ve declared bankruptcy?
Is there a limit on how often a debt collector can contact me?
What can I do if a debt collector is trying to collect a debt that isn’t mine?
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Can a debt collector collect a debt from someone else who is related to me?
What information can a debt collector give to credit bureaus?
Can a debt collector contact me about a debt that I’ve already paid?
Can a debt collector threaten to refer my debt to a collection agency?
Who do I contact if I believe a debt collector has violated the law?

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