Can a debt collector contact me if I’ve filed for bankruptcy?
Yes, a debt collector can contact you even if you have filed for bankruptcy. In Washington, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects consumers from abusive debt collection practices. This means that debt collectors must follow certain rules when contacting you about a debt. Even if you have filed for bankruptcy, debt collectors are allowed to contact you to obtain further information about your claim and to tell you that the debt collector or creditor intends to challenge your claim of discharge or that the debt is not dischargeable. Creditors can also contact you to inform you of the status of your bankruptcy proceedings or to remind you to reaffirm or pay a debt that is not discharged in your bankruptcy. However, debt collectors cannot threaten or harass you when attempting to collect a debt. If they do, you can file a complaint with the Attorney Generals Office in Washington or the Federal Trade Commission. Additionally, the debt collector cannot contact you at an inconvenient time or place, such as before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., or at your workplace. Also, they are not allowed to contact you if you have sent a letter to the debt collector requesting them to stop contacting you. Overall, while debt collectors are allowed to contact you even after you have filed for bankruptcy, they must follow specific rules that protect you from abusive and harassing practices.
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