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Halting debt collection harassment through bankruptcy

One of the most stressful aspects of financial hardships is the reality of having to deal with constant harassment with debt collection agencies.

Although it is an illegal practice, and there are many protections in place for victims of debt collection harassment, it is still a reality for many that are struggling with missed payments.

What are the protections in place for those suffering from debt collection harassment?

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) has many guidelines in place to prevent harassment and overt communication from taking place. This means that, among other things, a debt collector must make his or her identity clear during every communication. They must also give the name of the creditor that they are calling on behalf of, as well as their address. They must give the debtor all the information they need, including their right to dispute the debt that is being brought up. There should also be a verification of the validity of the debt that they are referring to.

What should be done about debt collector harassment?

It is possible to retaliate against debt collectors by filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can do this by using a form as a template or by writing the letter yourself.

How can people avoid further harassment by filing for bankruptcy?

If you are continuing to struggle with debt collection issues and feel as though a fresh start would be beneficial in the long-term, filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy could be a solution. Filing for Chapter 13 orders an immediate halt on all debt collection activities for a certain period of time.

Source: FindLaw, “How to stop debt collector harassment,” accessed Nov. 3, 2017