Debt Collector Harassment in Oregon
Debt Collector Harassment in Oregon
According to the Oregon Department of Justice, both the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and a nearly identical state law exist to protect Oregonians. These laws provide protection from many types of debt collector harassment, including:
- Calling before 8 am or after 9 pm in your time zone
- Collectors refusing to identify themselves during a call
- Threatening violence against you or your family
- Using profanity or obscenities in calls or correspondence
- Refusing to stop calling you at work after you have asked for it to cease
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 Oregon 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 Oregon , 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.
In Oregon, Collection Agencies must be registered with the state, and you can confirm an agency is licensed through the NMLS Consumer Access portal. The Better Business Bureau keeps a list of collection agencies based in Oregon, including:
- Metro Area Collection Service Inc.
- Columbia Collection
- Asset Collections Inc
- Vervent Inc
What Should You Do If You’ve Been Harassed By a Debt Collector In Oregon?
Step 1: Know Your Rights
Step 2: Collect Records
If you’ve been harassed in Oregon by a debt collector, it’s important to gather evidence. Although contact with unscrupulous debt collectors can be unsettling, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recommends you document all harassment. Specifically, you should keep a file of all paper correspondence that you receive and send. Additionally, you should always get the name and employee ID of the caller, note time of call, and save any voicemails. If the debt collector is calling from within Oregon, you may be able to record the phone conversation. This is because Oregon only requires one-party consent for electronic communications. Alternatively, you can and should, take comprehensive notes during every call.
Step 3: Remain Calm and Act Deliberately
When you’re being abused or harassed by a bullish Oregon 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 Oregon 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 Oregon debt collector attorney, you have a better chance of winning the lawsuit and getting financial compensation for abuses such as phone harassment.
Settlement amounts can vary in cases involving violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). The Federal Trade Commission reported that a debt collector paid a record $1 million civil penalty for violating the FDCPA. However, in most cases you can expect to be awarded only up to $1,000 and be reimbursed for attorney and court fees. If you can prove damages, such as lost wages or medical bills, the Court may award you more. If you do choose to sue, your case will begin in either a US District Court or an Oregon State Court. Your Oregon attorney can help determine the optimal jurisdiction for your case.
Work With an Experienced Oregon Debt Collector Harassment Lawyer
If you’ve experienced debt collector harassment in Oregon, 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 Oregon 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!
Do you have a different legal concern that requires the help of a lawyer? We have a network of attorneys for any area of the law you need in Oregon.
