Debt Collector Harassment in Michigan
Michigan Debt Collector Harassment
The State of Michigan uses a combination of state and federal laws to regulate debt collection practices. Some of the prohibited actions for debt collectors include:
- Not identifying themselves or not stating the purpose of the call
- Calling before 8 am or after 9 am
- Calling you at work after you have requested (in writing) not to be contacted at work
- Making threats of physical violence, arrest, or seizure of property
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 Michigan 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 Michigan , 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.
There are hundreds of debt collection agencies in Michigan, according to the Better Business Bureau. Some of these include V&J Inc., Congress Collection, and CBC Credit Services. It can be helpful to look up the agency that calls you since there are a lot of scammers pretending to be collection agencies.
What Should You Do If You’ve Been Harassed By a Debt Collector In Michigan?
Step 1: Know Your Rights
Step 2: Collect Records
If you’ve been harassed in Michigan by a debt collector, it’s important to gather evidence. The Michigan Attorney General provides some suggestions for documenting debt collector harassment. Keep copies of all written correspondence. In addition, if you send a letter, send it by certified mail so you have proof that it was received. Keep a list of all calls, including the date, time, and name of the person you spoke to. Another tip is to contact the original creditor and confirm that the collection agency is authorized to collect the debt.
Step 3: Remain Calm and Act Deliberately
When you’re being abused or harassed by a bullish Michigan 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 being harassed by debt collectors, requesting debt verification is a critical step. This not only helps determine if the debt is being misrepresented but also requires the collector to pause all contact until they provide the requested information. The verification should include the amount owed and the creditor’s name. You have 30 days to dispute the debt’s validity, and if you don’t act within that timeframe, the creditor may assume the debt is valid.
Step 5: Contact an Attorney
Step 6: Present Your Case
By hiring an experienced Michigan debt collector attorney, you have a better chance of winning the lawsuit and getting financial compensation for abuses such as phone harassment.
Where you file your case will depend on whether the debt collection agency violated federal or state law. A federal case would be filed in U.S. District Court, while a state case would be heard by a Trial Court in your county. A Michigan attorney can help you choose the best forum for your case. You can sue for any economic damages that you incurred, and you may also be entitled to statutory relief. However, winning your case may not absolve your responsibility for the original debt.
Work With an Experienced Michigan Debt Collector Harassment Lawyer
If you’ve experienced debt collector harassment in Michigan, 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 Michigan 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.
