Debt Collector Harassment in Gulfport, MS
Managing debt in Gulfport is challenging enough without added pressure from collectors. Understanding your rights is vital in these situations since there are boundaries agencies should not cross.
However, recognizing harassment is only part of the solution. An attorney can help you understand your legal options. Start to stand up to the harassment by reading this article and asking for legal help today!
Debt Collector Harassment in Gulfport, Mississippi
Debt collector harassment can even come from what should be trusted institutions in Mississippi. For example, St. Dominic Hospital made the news for harassing patients it knew could not pay.
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 Gulfport 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 Gulfport, MS 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 Gulfport 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..
You may already know some of the local debt collection agencies in Gulfport. For instance, a few of the BBB-accredited organizations in the area include:
- DiRecManagement, Inc.
- Revenue Assurance Partners, LLC
- Receivable Recovery Services, LLC
What Should You Do If You’ve Been Harassed By a Debt Collector In Gulfport, Mississippi?
Step 1: Know Your Rights
If you think Gulfport 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 Gulfport, MS by a debt collector? If so, it’s important to begin to gather evidence.
Having documentation is crucial for building a debt collection harassment lawsuit in Gulfport. These records are evidence to support your claims about illegal practices. A brief list of vital documents to gather includes the following:
- Call Logs and Voicemails
- Correspondence
- Debt Information
- Recorded Conversations
- Witness Statements
- Personal Notes
- Complaint Records
Step 3: Remain Calm and Act Deliberately
When you’re being abused or harassed by a bullish Gulfport 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 Gulfport, MS 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. Gulfport 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 Gulfport, MS debt collector attorney, you have a better chance of winning the lawsuit and getting financial compensation for abuses such as phone harassment.
Pursuing a debt collection lawsuit involves several steps. Initially, you or your attorney in Gulfport will file a complaint with the court system. It will detail how the agency violated specific laws like the FDCPA. Then, they have a chance to respond. The discovery phase starts afterward, but there are usually settlement negotiations as well. Most cases will settle before going to a trial to avoid unexpected results.
Work With an Experienced Gulfport, Mississippi Debt Collector Harassment Lawyer
If you’ve experienced debt collector harassment in Gulfport, MS 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 Mississippi 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!
