Find Help Today with Debt Collector Harassment Attorneys in Lisle IL
When you fall behind on payments or take on more debt than you can pay back, the situation can feel hopeless. As creditors start closing in and the bills pile up, the stress may become unbearable. When debt collectors cross the line from simply inquiring about payment options to constant, overbearing communication, it becomes a form of harassment. With the help of debt collector harassment attorneys in Lisle, Illinois, finding relief from the constant phone calls and inquiries plaguing your life may be easier than you think. An experienced debt collector harassment lawyer understands your legal rights and the methods available to reduce harassment from creditors.
Do I Have Legal Rights to Stop Creditor Harassment?
Most people assume that the constant phone calls and other forms of communication they receive as a result of unpaid debt are just part of the process. The good news is that they are wrong. You have legal rights to privacy and the choice to communicate with debt collectors without harassment. This does not mean that a creditor calling you once a month when a bill is overdue constitutes harassment. However, if they call while violating certain rules of the Fair Debt Collection Act, it may be considered harassment, and you have the right to take legal action against it. It is important to remember that harassment is not a one-time event, so in order to prove harassment, it needs to be ongoing and pervasive. This is where an experienced foreclosure defense lawyer can help you figure out if the constant calls have crossed over into legal harassment.
What is the Fair Debt Collection Act?
While you may have heard of the Fair Debt Collection Act, you may not understand exactly what it covers and how it aims to protect consumers from harassment. The Fair Debt Collection Act is a federal law intended to protect you from harassment or other forms of mistreatment at the hands of debt collectors. While the Fair Debt Collection Act covers a wide scope of information related to your right to avoid harassment, there are a few common rules or expectations outlined that are worth noting. These are the more common signs that a consumer is being harassed and a creditor is not following the guidelines set forth in the Fair Debt Collection Act. Common signs of harassment include:
- calling your house phone or cell phone before 8 AM and/or after 9 PM
- calling your workplace after you have told them not to call your place of business
- using obscene language or insulting your character
- making threats of arrest or imprisonment for failure to pay
- failing to identify themselves as debt collectors at the beginning of a call
- continuing to contact you once you have obtained legal representation regarding the debt
There may be other forms of harassment covered under the Fair Debt Collection Act, which is why it is important to discuss your situation with an experienced attorney. A knowledgeable debt collector harassment lawyer will be familiar with what constitutes unfair treatment and how to combat it from a legal standing.
How Do I Prove Harassment from Creditors?
There are a few common ways to prove harassment from creditors. The easiest way to prove harassment from debt collectors is to keep a written log of the calls, including the time of day, frequency of the calls, and a brief record of the exchange. If the creditor threatens you or uses obscene language, make sure you get their name and include an account of the threat for your records. Aside from keeping a clearly detailed call log, you should also save all paper correspondence from a creditor, such as bills, letters, and other notices. An experienced debt collector harassment lawyer will be able to use this information to prove harassment and behavior that is in violation of the Fair Debt Collection Act. You should also keep in mind that frequency is key in any form of harassment, but even a one-time call where the creditor threatens you may be enough to constitute harassment.
How Can a Debt Collector Harassment Lawyer Help?
A debt collector harassment lawyer may be able to help you in several important ways. For starters, many people start out unsure of what they are experiencing with creditors is actually considered harassment. While the average consumer may be unsure of the matter, a knowledgeable lawyer can more easily spot harassment after speaking with a client. In addition to helping you recognize or determine if you are experiencing harassment, an attorney will guide you through the process of gathering proof of the harassment while guiding you through the ordeal. One of the biggest ways a debt collector harassment attorney helps clients is by acting as their representative. This means that your creditor may only speak to your attorney, which relieves a stressful burden on your shoulders.
Many people assume that their debt negotiation lawyer will represent them in court, but most cases do not go to court. The matter is one that can typically be handled without going to court through the use of an experienced debt collector harassment lawyer. If you do end up in court, your attorney will represent your best interests in a court of law. In addition to being an advocate and liaison on your behalf, your attorney will also answer any questions you have along the way. Some lawyers may even work with you to determine legal solutions, such as bankruptcy or payoff options, to make the debt more manageable. Whether you work with your attorney to stop the harassment or to stop the harassment while finding debt relief solutions, a knowledgeable lawyer may make life easier as you manage debt.
Take Legal Action Today
Falling behind on payments or taking on too much debt has become a common problem in our society. While it is never ideal to be in debt, it also is not a reason for you to face harassment or threats from creditors. If you are living in fear of answering the phone, it’s time to take action. With the help of an experienced debt collector harassment attorney, take control of your life and put an end to the constant phone calls, threats, and other forms of mistreatment from creditors. Contact us at (708) 575-1500 to find out possible solutions for your unique situation today. Our team is focused on serving your legal needs on various matters. We even offer free consultations to make sure we are able to help you before moving forward. Call us today to get started.