Just because you have a debt toward a creditor doesn’t mean they’re allowed to harass you in any way. However, that’s not always the case, and some creditors will stop at nothing, including resorting to unlawful harassment of their debtors. That’s why you have to know how to stop them if they keep coming at you. Hiring a debt collection defense attorney in San Diego is always the best way to stop harassment, but there’s also a lot you can do as well.
What can I do to avoid creditor harassment?
Creditor harassment is illegal. In fact, the Federal Debt Collection Practices Act serves as your legal protection against your creditors harassing you. However, some collectors won’t stop even with all the laws in place, leaving you to implement various strategies to protect yourself from their actions.
Besides immediately hiring a lawyer to help you and filing bankruptcy as the best way to stop creditor actions against you, here’s what else you can do to battle harassment:
Prepare for the phone calls
First of all, know that you don’t have to answer the phone if your creditor is repeatedly calling you, trying to collect their debt. However, if you want to answer the phone and try to be polite, know that they’re not allowed to bully you in any way, shape, or form. If you try to reach a reasonable agreement, and they only keep resorting to unlawful means, end the phone call and reach out to a lawyer.
Know all your rights
There are many things a creditor legally cannot do. Knowing what this is can significantly help you deal with creditor harassment and put a stop to it. They’re not allowed to embarrass you in public, call you on holidays and during certain times of day, or perform numerous other actions that harass their debtors. Knowing what they can and cannot do helps you gain a footing in your fight against them.
Investigate the proof of debt
Many creditors resort to harassment even though they’re unable to prove their debt. If the creditor hasn’t sent proof of debt and if they cannot offer any legal documentation proving you’re their debtor, they have to stop contacting you until they can prove you owe any money to them.
Remember to be honest
If you’re unable to repay your proven debt at the moment, try being honest with your debtors and look for a way out together with them. Tell them the reason for your inability to repay your debt and see if you can provide a later date at which you’ll be able to make your payment. However, if they persist, it’s best to hire a lawyer.
Enlist assistance
Finally, the best thing you can do when creditors just won’t stop is to hire an experienced bankruptcy lawyer and allow them to represent you and your case. They’ll first take over all dealings with the creditors and debt collectors. From there, they’ll propose the best bankruptcy plan for your situation and guide you through the entire process.
Which debt collection defense attorneys in San Diego should I hire?
When you accumulate debt, creditors and debt collectors will inevitably appear, which is why you should learn more about the topic and how to protect yourself. Learn the important information regarding creditor harassment and gain in-depth knowledge about what debt collectors are allowed and forbidden from doing. However, you should also realize that it’s always best to allow experienced bankruptcy attorneys to help you against harassment.
Bankruptcy Law Offices of Mark L. Miller is here to provide such assistance. First, we’ll stop all creditor harassment against you and protect you from all ensuing attempts. Then, we’ll provide a seamless, smooth, and successful bankruptcy process to help you get back on your feet as soon as possible. We’re pleasant to talk to and we’ll answer any questions you might have during our free initial consultation. We’re near Whaley Museum, so stop by anytime!