Can a debt collector contact me if I’m on military deployment?
In the state of Washington, debt collection law allows creditors to still contact those on military deployment. However, there are a few exceptions that protect military personnel from harassment. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) is a federal law that protects, among other things, active-duty military personnel from collection activities. This law makes it illegal for debt collectors to contact or take any action against an active-duty service member who is deployed. The law also provides other special protections for active-duty military personnel such as a ceasing of collection activities, capping of interest rates, and protection from eviction in certain circumstances. Washington debt collection law also has specific protections for veterans. The Washington Post 9/11 GI Bill provides certain protections to help veterans who are struggling to repay their debts. Specifically, the law prohibits debt collectors from making contact with veterans who are enrolled in the GI Bill program. Likewise, the law also prohibits debt collectors from taking any legal action against veterans until the VA has determined that the veteran is not eligible for benefits under the GI Bill program. In summary, Washington debt collection law contains some protections for those on active military deployment and veterans. It is illegal for debt collectors to contact or take any action against an active-duty service member who is deployed. Similarly, debt collectors must cease all collection activities if they know or have reason to believe that the debtor is enrolled in the GI Bill program.
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