{"id":5641,"date":"2020-09-22T12:10:33","date_gmt":"2020-09-22T12:10:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mcintirelaw.com\/?p=5641"},"modified":"2023-05-05T01:46:01","modified_gmt":"2023-05-05T01:46:01","slug":"suing-debt-collectors-when-and-how-to-do-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mcintirelaw.com\/suing-debt-collectors-when-and-how-to-do-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Suing Debt Collectors: When and How To Do It"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Falling behind on mortgage or loan payments is hard enough as it is, but having debt collectors harass you constantly is something you shouldn\u2019t have to deal with. Fortunately, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) provides consumer-protection from harassing phone calls and unfair practices. This federal act allows a debtor to report a creditor or debt collector for excessive collection calls and harassing collection efforts that violate federal law.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are being harassed for debt repayment, get in touch with a <\/span><b>debt relief attorney<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> immediately. Read on below to find out when you need to sue creditors for debt collection harassment and how to do it.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 data-fontsize=\"34\" data-lineheight=\"41.14px\" class=\"fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"--fontSize:34; line-height: 1.21;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_to_Sue\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When to Sue<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_65 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6629d9a7de714\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6629d9a7de714\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/mcintirelaw.com\/suing-debt-collectors-when-and-how-to-do-it\/#When_to_Sue\" title=\"When to Sue\">When to Sue<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/mcintirelaw.com\/suing-debt-collectors-when-and-how-to-do-it\/#How_to_Sue\" title=\"How to Sue\">How to Sue<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/mcintirelaw.com\/suing-debt-collectors-when-and-how-to-do-it\/#Sue_your_debt_collector_in_state_court\" title=\"Sue your debt collector in state court.\">Sue your debt collector in state court.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/mcintirelaw.com\/suing-debt-collectors-when-and-how-to-do-it\/#Sue_your_creditor_in_small_claims_court\" title=\"Sue your creditor in small claims court.\">Sue your creditor in small claims court.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/mcintirelaw.com\/suing-debt-collectors-when-and-how-to-do-it\/#Report_the_violation_to_a_government_agency\" title=\"Report the violation to a government agency.\">Report the violation to a government agency.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/mcintirelaw.com\/suing-debt-collectors-when-and-how-to-do-it\/#Report_the_violation_to_the_state_attorney_general\" title=\"Report the violation to the state attorney general.\">Report the violation to the state attorney general.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/mcintirelaw.com\/suing-debt-collectors-when-and-how-to-do-it\/#Use_the_violation_in_settlement_negotiations\" title=\"Use the violation in settlement negotiations.\">Use the violation in settlement negotiations.<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/mcintirelaw.com\/suing-debt-collectors-when-and-how-to-do-it\/#Talk_to_a_Bankruptcy_Attorney_in_West_Virginia\" title=\"Talk to a Bankruptcy Attorney in West Virginia\">Talk to a Bankruptcy Attorney in West Virginia<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Debt collection companies aren\u2019t allowed to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">call you directly if you have an attorney;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">call at inconvenient times or places;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">call at work, when you can\u2019t receive personal calls.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aside from you, collection companies can only contact your attorney, the original creditor, or a credit reporting agency about your debts. If collection agencies need to reach out to third parties for your whereabouts, they should state their name and their intention to confirm location about you. They aren\u2019t allowed to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">identify their employer, unless asked;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mention or indicate on the outside of the letter that they are trying to collect a debt;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">contact a third party repeatedly, except in certain situations;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">contact third parties once they\u2019re informed that you have an attorney.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contacting you using the following debt collection practices are considered abuse, harassment, or false and misleading representations.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lying about the amount of money owed or how much compensations the agency gets;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Claiming or suggesting that it\u2019s connected with the federal, state, or local government;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Claiming to be an attorney;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Threatening imprisonment or repossession of your personal property, unless the creditor intends to take legal action;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using a false business name;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sending a final notice then continuing to demand payments from you.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you believe a collection company is not using fair debt collection practices, speak with a <\/span><b>debt collection attorney<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to discuss the actions you can take.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 data-fontsize=\"34\" data-lineheight=\"41.14px\" class=\"fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"--fontSize:34; line-height: 1.21;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Sue\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to Sue<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are several options available to deal with harassing debt collection practices.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<h3 data-fontsize=\"22\" data-lineheight=\"36.74px\" class=\"fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"--fontSize:22; line-height: 1.67; --minFontSize:22;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sue_your_debt_collector_in_state_court\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sue your debt collector in state court.<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If a debt collector is harassing you, you can take them to state court by filing a lawsuit against them. You need to prove that they violated FDCPA, but you\u2019ll be able to sue them for damages and attorney fees. This process takes a long time but can have the highest payout.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<h3 data-fontsize=\"22\" data-lineheight=\"36.74px\" class=\"fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"--fontSize:22; line-height: 1.67; --minFontSize:22;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sue_your_creditor_in_small_claims_court\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sue your creditor in small claims court.<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-5645\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mcintirelaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/debt-collectors.jpg?resize=300%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"suing debt collectors\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mcintirelaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/debt-collectors.jpg?resize=66%2C66&amp;ssl=1 66w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mcintirelaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/debt-collectors.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mcintirelaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/debt-collectors.jpg?resize=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mcintirelaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/debt-collectors.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mcintirelaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/debt-collectors.jpg?fit=338%2C338&amp;ssl=1 338w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>If you don\u2019t want lengthy proceedings, you can take your creditor to a small claims court and go through an expedited process. You only need to file a simple court document, and a hearing will be held within two months. You can receive the case ruling through mail or during the hearing itself. While the process is quick, small claims courts will limit how much you can get in damages.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<h3 data-fontsize=\"22\" data-lineheight=\"36.74px\" class=\"fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"--fontSize:22; line-height: 1.67; --minFontSize:22;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Report_the_violation_to_a_government_agency\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Report the violation to a government agency.<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can file an online complaint to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) which ensures that the collection process is under the FDCPA. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) also takes complaints from consumers and works with both creditors and debtors to come up with a solution.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<h3 data-fontsize=\"22\" data-lineheight=\"36.74px\" class=\"fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"--fontSize:22; line-height: 1.67; --minFontSize:22;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Report_the_violation_to_the_state_attorney_general\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Report the violation to the state attorney general.<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Debt collection agencies who are not following FDCPA may also violate state laws. Contact your state Attorney General\u2019s office for a possible FDCPA lawsuit and any possible state law actions against the debt collector. If they get enough complaints against one debt collector, they may sue the debt collection agency on behalf of the state.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<h3 data-fontsize=\"22\" data-lineheight=\"36.74px\" class=\"fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"--fontSize:22; line-height: 1.67; --minFontSize:22;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Use_the_violation_in_settlement_negotiations\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use the violation in settlement negotiations.<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lastly, you may use the violations as leverage if you are negotiating a <a class=\"linkilo_keyword_link  hyperlinks\" href=\"\/west-virginia-debt-settlement\/\"  rel=\"dofollow\" title=\"debt settlement\" data-linkilo-keyword-link=\"linked\">debt settlement<\/a>. Lawsuits often cost creditors, so you\u2019ll have more leverage in negotiations especially if you have strong evidence to prove the debt collection violations.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 data-fontsize=\"34\" data-lineheight=\"41.14px\" class=\"fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"--fontSize:34; line-height: 1.21;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Talk_to_a_Bankruptcy_Attorney_in_West_Virginia\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Talk to a Bankruptcy Attorney in West Virginia<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re dealing with debt and want to get debt collectors to stop harassing you, bankruptcy may give you the debt relief you\u2019re looking for. The automatic stay stops creditors from collecting from you the moment you file your bankruptcy petition.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want a fresh financial start or find ways to deal with debt, call us today at <\/span><b>Thomas E. McIntire &amp; Associates, L.C. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Our <\/span><b>experienced <a href=\"https:\/\/mcintirelaw.com\/\">bankruptcy attorneys<\/a><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will provide you answers to your bankruptcy and debt-relief questions.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5646,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2148],"tags":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mcintirelaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/suing-debt-collectors.jpg?fit=626%2C417&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mcintirelaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5641"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mcintirelaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mcintirelaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mcintirelaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mcintirelaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5641"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/mcintirelaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5641\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6668,"href":"https:\/\/mcintirelaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5641\/revisions\/6668"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mcintirelaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5646"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mcintirelaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5641"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mcintirelaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5641"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mcintirelaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5641"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}