What should I do if I’m being hounded by a debt collector?
If you are being hounded by a debt collector in Tennessee, you have the right to be protected under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). This act outlines consumer protection laws which debt collectors must adhere to and forbids harassment of any kind. Under FDCPA, debt collectors cannot call you an unreasonable amount of times, threaten to take legal action, or use profane language. They must also be honest about the debt you are being contacted for and provide documentation to you which proves the debt is accurate. The best thing you can do when being hounded by a debt collector is to keep a log of all calls, emails, and letters sent to you by the debt collector and make sure to document everything thoroughly. It’s also important to note that debt collectors are not permitted to contact your friends, family, neighbors, or employers regarding your debt. If you feel like a debt collector is violating the FDCPA, you can submit a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission. You may also want to contact a lawyer to ensure that you’re protected from any potential abuse. Lastly, it’s important to remember that being contacted by a debt collector does not mean you have to immediately pay them. You may be able to negotiate, challenge the debt in court, or develop a payment plan if you are unable to pay the debt in full.
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