Debt Collector Harassment in Minnesota
Minnesota Debt Collector Harassment
Minnesota residents are protected from harassment by debt collectors. The Attorney General of Minnesota provides a list of rules for debt collectors. Some of these include:
- Calls only between 8 am and 9 pm
- No calls to your employer or family, other than to obtain your contact information
- Calls must go through your attorney if you have one
- No threats, swearing, or abuse
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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota , 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.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) lists more than 200 debt collection agencies in Minnesota. Some of these include Reliance Recoveries, Dedicated Commercial Recovery, and FrontLine Asset Strategies. The BBB can provide ratings and contact information for many of these agencies. Checking up on the agency that contacts you can help make sure you aren’t being scammed.
What Should You Do If You’ve Been Harassed By a Debt Collector In Minnesota?
Step 1: Know Your Rights
Step 2: Collect Records
If you’ve been harassed in Minnesota by a debt collector, it’s important to gather evidence. LawHelpMN suggests that you keep a careful record of any contact with a debt collector. Write down the date and time of the call, as well as the name and phone number of who you talked to. In addition, you can take notes during the call about what was said. If there is any written correspondence, make sure you keep a copy of that as well.
Step 3: Remain Calm and Act Deliberately
When you’re being abused or harassed by a bullish Minnesota 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 debt collectors are repeatedly calling and harassing you about what you owe, it’s crucial to request debt verification. This step ensures they’re not misrepresenting your debt and requires them to pause communication until they provide the necessary details. The verification must include the debt amount and the creditor’s name. You have 30 days to dispute the debt’s validity. If you don’t challenge it within that timeframe, the creditor will assume the debt is legitimate.
Step 5: Contact an Attorney
Step 6: Present Your Case
By hiring an experienced Minnesota debt collector attorney, you have a better chance of winning the lawsuit and getting financial compensation for abuses such as phone harassment.
Many cases start with a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission or the Minnesota Department of Commerce. If you decide to file a lawsuit, you may have a choice as to which court to file in. Your Minnesota attorney can help you determine whether federal or state court is more appropriate for your case. When you file, you can request damages for any economic loss that you suffered. In addition, there may be statutory relief available as well. However, your case must be filed within one year of the illegal action of the debt collector.
Work With an Experienced Minnesota Debt Collector Harassment Lawyer
If you’ve experienced debt collector harassment in Minnesota, 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 Minnesota 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.
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