Debt Collector Harassment in Kansas
Debt Collector Harassment in Kansas
According to the Kansas Legal Services, although it is not common practice you may run into a debt collector who breaks the law and engages in harassment. This can come in many forms, such as threatening violence or harm, the use of profane language repeated phone calls at all hours, and even sharing private information with third parties. If you have experienced harassment from a debt collector, you may have grounds to sue.
Misrepresentations
- 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 Kansas debt collectors may have misrepresented themselves to you, it’s important to remember that you have options. Get in contact with an attorney who 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 Kansas , 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.
If you are facing certain debts in Kansas you could be contacted by Central States Recovery, Kansas Counselors Inc, or the Midwest Services Bureau. NexaCollections offers a comprehensive list of collection agencies in Kansas.
What Should You Do If You’ve Been Harassed By a Debt Collector In Kansas?
Step 1: Know Your Rights
Step 2: Collect Records
If you’ve been harassed in Kansas by a debt collector, it’s important to gather evidence. The Kansas Treasury Offset Program provides online guidance under the law for both debtors and debt collections agencies. When dealing with any debt collector, it is important to save as many documents as you can. You’ll want to send a Stop Contact letter as soon as you can. It may be in your best interest to keep a file containing all correspondence between you and the collector, and if you are suing for harassment, you might call your phone provider for a print copy of the times they have contacted you by phone.
Step 3: Remain Calm and Act Deliberately
When you’re being abused or harassed by a bullish Kansas 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 Kansas 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
Step 6: Present Your Case
By hiring an experienced Kansas debt collector attorney, you have a better chance of winning the lawsuit and getting financial compensation for abuses such as phone harassment.
The Kansas Attorney General encourages any citizen that is disputing a debt or encountering harassment because of a dispute, to directly contact the collection agency in writing. If you do, you should try to send it by certified mail and get a copy of the receipt for yourself.
If you decide to file suit you have exactly 1 year from the time where the debt collector infringed upon your rights. You’ll have to decide whether to file in a federal court or a Kansas State Court. Your best course of action may be to hire an experienced Kansas attorney to help you through this.
Work With an Experienced Kansas Debt Collector Harassment Lawyer
If you’ve experienced debt collector harassment in Kansas, 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 Kansas 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!
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