A past due bill often means debt collectors might try excessively calling you at home or at work, threatening to repossess your property, or even impersonating government authorities. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Debt collection harassment can be one of the most deceitful and abusive actions taken against you, but federal and Florida laws protect you from much of their behavior.
Miami’s large population and diverse community makes it ripe for debt collectors, who can get lost in the mass of people you interact with on a daily basis. The legal team at Morgan & Morgan’s Miami office can help you if you’ve been a victim of debt collector abuse. We put debt collectors in their place and can even help you potentially recover compensation for bearing their abusive and illegal behavior.
If you are being harassed by a debt collection agency, we may be able to help. To find out what our Miami debt collection harassment attorneys may be able to do for you, please fill out our free case evaluation form today.
Legal Protections Afforded to You
The federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act has strict guarantees that affect almost every third-party debt collector in the country. Collectors cannot:
- Threaten force, violence, or defamation;
- Use obscene, profane, or abusive language;
- Publish the names of alleged debtors;
- Place phone calls with a frequency that is intended to harass;
- Misrepresent the amount, nature, or origin or an alleged debt;
- Impersonate law enforcement or another authority;
- Misrepresent the potential penalties for non-payment, including telling alleged debtors they will be prosecuted, imprisoned or their wages will be garnished (unless garnishment is actually authorized by a court);
- Add charges or fees not authorized by the original agreement;
- Solicit or demand an excessively postdated check; or
- Threaten to repossess property when the right to do so does not actually exist.
Florida also has provisions of its own that help protect you from debt harassment. A trained Florida attorney can help you understand how to fight back. If you hire an attorney, the debt collector must contact them, not you, with regard to your debt. An attorney can take initial steps with actions like:
- Sending a letter demanding communication with the debtor stop;
- Requesting validation and calculations of the debt; and
- Sending a letter to contest the debt.
Take Your Life Back
Having to deal with the vicious behavior of debt collectors can be exhausting, but we’re here to help. You can recover statutory and actual damages, plus attorney fees, for the suffering you might have experienced.
Our Miami legal team understands the ins and outs of unsavory debt harassment, and can help you fight back using the law. Fill out a free, no-risk case evaluation form if you’re ready to seek justice and peace of mind today.