Debt Collector Harassment in Maine

Debt collector harassment is the intimidation, bullying, abuse, or coercion of consumers into paying off the money they owe. In , Maine 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 Maine

Maine Legal Services for the Elderly affirms that there are both federal and state laws providing clear criteria for how debt collectors are allowed to behave. If you are experiencing verbal abuse or profane language, calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., or if there has been any misrepresentation from the collection agency that they represent the government, you may have standing to sue for harassment.

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 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 Maine 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 Maine , 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 outstanding debt in Maine, you may be hearing from a collection agency such as United Obligations, Absolute Credit, or Affiliated Collections. NexaCollect offers a comprehensive list of collection agencies in Maine.

What Should You Do If You’ve Been Harassed By a Debt Collector In Maine?

Step 1: Know Your Rights

If you think 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

If you’ve been harassed in Maine by a debt collector, it’s important to gather evidence. Maine Consumer Credit Documents state that if you send a stop contact letter to a debt collector, the only further communication they can have is to tell you they are ceasing contact, or to inform you that they are turning your case over to an attorney. However, if you are experiencing harassment you should consider keeping documentation of any correspondence between you and the debt collector. You might also keep a copy of your Stop Contact letter, and send the letter through certified mail so that you’ll have the receipt.

Step 3: Remain Calm and Act Deliberately

When you’re being abused or harassed by a bullish Maine 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 Maine 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. attorneys who understand what to expect when suing for debt collector 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 Maine debt collector attorney, you have a better chance of winning the lawsuit and getting financial compensation for abuses such as phone harassment.

The Office of the Maine Attorney General has published a comprehensive guide to Consumer Rights and Credit Sales. Maine residents who are seeking to file harassment suits against a debt collector have only 1 year from the date of harassment to file. You should remember though, that even if you win your suit, this does not mean that your debt will be discharged. You may still have to sort out the debt with the creditors. An experienced attorney in Maine can help you decide whether it is best to file your harassment suit in the U.S. District Court, or a State Court.

Work With an Experienced Maine Debt Collector Harassment Lawyer

If you’ve experienced debt collector harassment in Maine, 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 Maine 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!

About the Author

Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.

With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations. Contact Aaron at [email protected] for article suggestions, collaborations, or inquiries.

Need help with a different sector of Maine law? Check out more of our articles!

Auto Accident Injury

Bankruptcy

Business Law

Child Birth Injury

Child Custody

Child Support

Consumer Law

Copyright Law

Criminal Defense

Divorce Law

DUI Law

Employment Law

Eviction Law

Foreclosure Defense

Identity Theft

Immigration Law

Insurance Claims

Lemon Law

Medical Malpractice

Nursing Home Abuse

Patent Law

Personal Injury Law

Power of Attorney

Probate Law

Property Disputes

Real Estate Law

Social Security Disability

Tax Law

Traffic Law

Vaccination Injury

Workers Compensation

Workplace Discrimination

Wrongful Termination

Wills and Trusts

How It All Works

Call us or answer the questions on this site. Your category, location, and additional information will help us connect you to a legal professional and we’ll send you the results instantly.

Which Areas of Law?

We have attorneys in over 20 legal categories to choose from.

How Much Does This Cost?

We don’t charge you to be connected. Some legal categories require upfront fees while others do not. The legal professional will determine this with you before you commit to anything.