Debt Collector Harassment in Maine
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.
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 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
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
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!
