Our country has stringent debt collection laws that are enforced by the Federal Trade
Commission (FTC) through a federal act known as the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). The FDCPA has guidelines for fair debt collection practices. However, third party collectors resort to unethical and illegal methods that lead to harassment. Debt Collector Harassment in any form is punishable.
No debt collection agency aspires to enter the radar range of the FTC lest it is black listed or red flagged by state Attorney General. Once a debt collector reaches the radar range of the FTC, he is in for trouble with a capital T. Should this happen the debt collector is in the process of being sued.
Although it scares you to hear threatening words from debt collectors, if you consider the situation calmly and act wisely you can avoid a lot of unpleasantness. America has strict debt collection laws and violation of these laws by debt collectors calls for a fight.
If you are harassed by a debt collector the first step for you to take is to find if the debt is legal. If you owe that debt you are legally responsible for repaying it. If you are being harassed for a debt that is not yours then you should sue the collectors per the debt collection laws. It is worthwhile to mention here that debts have a life time and cannot be collected if they cross that time. The Statute of Limitations ( SOL) should be verified if a debt collector calls you. You should get all the possible details about the debt from debt collectors. If the debt has crossed the SOL you need not pay.
Debt collection harassment is a malignancy you should fight against. If you are harassed by a debt collector it would be better if you contact an FDCPA attorney well qualified in the debt collection laws and engage him to represent you in your case.