Debt Collector Harassment in Greenville, SC

Debt collector harassment is the intimidation, bullying, abuse, or coercion of consumers into paying off the money they owe. In Greenville, South Carolina there are two things to consider when thinking about debt collection: harassment and misrepresentation. The presence of either of these things constitutes debt collector harassment and may require you to take legal action against the collector.

Debt Collector Harassment in Greenville, South Carolina

South Carolina Law states that harassment from a debt collector is illegal. Residents of Greeneville should be on the lookout for harassing behaviors when dealing with debt collectors. These can include but are not limited to, threats of violence or jail time, profane language, and claiming to be with a government agency.

If you are a victim of any of these examples of harassment, you may have a right to sue the debt collector for violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). An experienced Greenville attorney can help you identify your options and build a strong case.

Misrepresentations

Misrepresentations by a debt collector refer to someone making false claims or accusations or using false, deceptive, or misleading practices. This also includes misrepresenting any debt you may have. See some examples of this and other Illegal Debt Collection Practices below:

• The amount of money you owe
• False threats saying they will have you arrested
• Saying they are an attorney if they aren’t one
• Threats to do something that the debt collector has no intention of doing
• Threats to take actions that are not within the confines of the law

If you think any Greenville, SC debt collectors may have misrepresented themselves to you, it’s important to remember that you have options. Get in contact with an attorney that understands debt collector law.

Who Are Debt Collectors?

Most people don’t know what a debt collector is until they have one incessantly calling them about paying off debt. So, who are debt collectors? Who do they work for?

Collectors come from a debt collection agency that works with creditors who are owed debts. If you have outstanding debt in Greenville such as credit debt, unpaid loans, and personal loans, your creditor may contact a debt collection agency. This agency then assigns a debt collector to your case.

When dealing with debt collectors in Greeneville, you could hear from Pinnacle Credit Services, CACH, or LVNV Funding. The Better Business Bureau provides an online list of accredited collection agencies near Greeneville.

What Should You Do If You’ve Been Harassed By a Debt Collector In Greenville, South Carolina?

Step 1: Know Your Rights

If you think Greenville debt collectors are harassing you, then it’s important to become familiar with the Basics of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The FDCPA was passed in 1977 to protect consumers from collection agencies. If a debt collector violates any of the harassment or misrepresentation rules, the victim has a right to sue the collector for violation of the FDCPA.

Step 2: Collect Records

Have you been harassed in Greenville, SC by a debt collector? If so, it’s important to begin to gather evidence.

It’s important to be proactive when dealing with harassment from collection agencies. You should send a Stop Contact letter to the agency instructing them that they are not to have any further contact with you. According to the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs, once this letter is received they cannot legally have contact with you any longer. You should also try to keep detailed records of all your payments, all correspondence sent to you, and even phone records to show the times and frequencies of calls.

Step 3: Remain Calm and Act Deliberately

When you’re being abused or harassed by a bullish Greenville debt collector, it’s easy to get angry and act impulsively. Unfortunately, this can cause you to say or do something detrimental to your case. Instead, try to remain calm and make all your actions deliberate and well-thought-out. Not only will this be better for keeping your stress levels low, but it will prove helpful if you go to court. You can show that you were respectful and calm while the debt collector was the one using abusive language.

Step 4: Ask for Debt Verification

If you’re constantly getting phone calls from Greenville, SC debt collectors harassing you about what you owe, you need to ask for debt verification. Not only will this show whether or not they are misrepresenting your debt, but the debt collector must also stop contacting you until they provide the information you requested. Debt verification should show the amount of debt you owe and the name of the creditor. You have 30 days to dispute the validity of the debt. If you don’t dispute the debt, the creditor will assume the debt is valid.

Step 5: Contact an Attorney

If you’re the victim of debt collector harassment, it’s time to stand up and fight back. You deserve to live a life free from abusive and repetitive phone calls. Greenville attorneys that understand What to Expect When Suing for Debt Collection Harassment, and local debt collection laws, can help you make this possible. If the debt collector threatens to or does take legal action regarding your outstanding debts, working with an attorney becomes even more important.

Step 6: Present Your Case

By hiring an experienced Greenville, SC debt collector attorney, you have a better chance of winning the lawsuit and getting financial compensation for abuses such as phone harassment.

If you’ve experienced harassment by a debt collector or collection agency, you’ll have 1 year to file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires. You’ll need to file in either a state court, such as the Greeneville County Court, or federal court, such as the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina. An experienced Greeneville attorney can help you decide where it’s best to file your specific case.

Work With an Experienced Greenville, South Carolina Debt Collector Harassment Lawyer

If you’ve experienced debt collector harassment in Greenville, SC it’s time to put an end to it so you can move forward with life. There are laws in place to protect consumers from debt collectors. Legal assistance can help you to navigate these complex laws and defend yourself in court, if necessary.

Are you ready to find a debt collector attorney near you so you can finally fight back against the harassment? We can even help you connect with an attorney across South Carolina state lines.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!