Debt Collector Harassment in South Carolina
Debt Collector Harassment in South Carolina
The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs provides examples of harassment that might occur in South Carolina. In South Carolina, both creditors and debt collectors are forbidden from harassing debtors. Examples of harassment include:
- Saying you will be arrested if you do not pay your debt
- Misrepresenting the amount of your debt
- Implying that papers being sent to you are legal forms when they are not
- Insisting you accept collect calls or pay for telegrams
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 South Carolina 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 South Carolina , 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.
Both The Yellow Pages and the Better Business Bureau provide a list of collection agencies based in South Carolina, including:
- Receivables Management Corp
- Amcol Systems Inc
- Pinnacle Credit Services LLC
- Cache LLC
What Should You Do If You’ve Been Harassed By a Debt Collector In South Carolina?
Step 1: Know Your Rights
Step 2: Collect Records
If you’ve been harassed in South Carolina by a debt collector, it’s important to gather evidence. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recommends you keep and document all harassment, even if it is upsetting. Specifically, you should keep a file of all paper correspondence, as well as save voicemail messages and text messages. Additionally, you should always get the company name and address, the name and employee ID of the caller, and the time of call. You should also take comprehensive notes during each call. Alternatively, you may be able to record the phone conversation, since South Carolina is a one-party consent state. However, you must be sure the debt collector is calling from within the state.
Step 3: Remain Calm and Act Deliberately
When you’re being abused or harassed by a bullish South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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 South Carolina debt collector attorney, you have a better chance of winning the lawsuit and getting financial compensation for abuses such as phone harassment.
Because both federal and state laws may apply, you could file your case in either the US District Court or a South Carolina State Court. Your South Carolina attorney can help determine the best jurisdiction for your lawsuit. The Federal Trade Commission reported that a debt collector paid a record $1 million civil penalty for violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. 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.
Work With an Experienced South Carolina Debt Collector Harassment Lawyer
If you’ve experienced debt collector harassment in South Carolina, 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 South Carolina 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.
Still need to learn more? Check out some of our coverage on a different area of South Carolina law.
