Debt is a huge issue for many Americans. Debt collectors are always on the hunt to collect what’s owed and they’re not afraid to use any means necessary. That’s why it’s important to know your rights and be prepared for anything. Here are five of the most common inkasso regler (debt collection rules) that you need to know, as well as some useful things you can do to protect yourself.
Know TheCommonDebtCollectionRules
The following are the five most important debt collection rules you need to know:
- Debt collectors can’t harass you or use threatening language. They can’t call before 8 am or after 9 pm and if they have a question, they have to let you know at the beginning of the conversation.
- Collectors must keep a record of any time they contact a third party on behalf of the original creditor for more than one month – including how many times and when they talked to that person.
- If a debt collector calls you but doesn’t identify themselves, don’t give them any information about your finances or where you live unless you know who it is and why they’re calling.
- You can write down what’s being said during phone conversations with collectors – but not of phone conversations with friends or family members – without telling them first. That way, if anything is recorded incorrectly, there’s evidence to show what was actually said.
- If a debt collector sends a letter to your home about a debt that belongs to someone else who lives at your address, send the letter back with “Not at this address” written on it and notify the credit bureau that issued the credit report of this error as well as any other errors on your credit report.
Understand Your Rights
Debt collectors are required to follow the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which sets out your rights when dealing with debt collectors. They are not permitted to contact you at work if it’s prohibited by your employer or if your boss tells them not to.
They can’t use profanity or any obscene language when speaking to you, but they’re allowed to use words like “please” and “thank you.” And finally, debt collectors cannot threaten physical harm or harass you in any way.
Keep APaperTrail
The first thing you should do is document any contact from a debt collector. This will give you a proof for when they try to collect on the debt again. Write down the date, time of day, and who you spoke with. In addition, get their name and company name.
Debtain what they want from you. It could be a payment plan or some other action that needs to be taken. It’s important to know what you’re agreeing to before making a decision because once it’s agreed upon it’s difficult if not impossible to get out of.
Debt collectors can’t harass or threaten you for money that’s owed. If they do, make sure you document it and contact the authorities if necessary.
Debt collectors are allowed to call between 8 AM and 9 PM but inkasso regler (debt collection rules) restrict this window in some places so make sure you research your local place laws on this one before taking legal action against a debt collector for calling too late at night or too early in the morning.
