Like everyone else, you work hard to make both ends meet. As it happens, you may need to take loans for certain needs, such as buying a home or funding a vacation. If you don’t repay the debt as per the schedule, the lender can consider taking legal action. Most lending institutions and companies rely on debt collection agencies to recover their debts and solicit repayments. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) states what a debt collector can and cannot do when trying to recover money. If you feel that you have been harassed, you should consider consulting a debt collection defense lawyer Chicago to know your rights. Here’s an overview of the key aspects.
Common wrongful practices
A debt collection agency cannot pose as a lawyer and demand money for their client. They are also not allowed to take legal action. You may want to lawyer up if the debt collector –
- Lied to you about the status of the debt
- Is trying to recover fees or charges that are not in the original contract
- Claims to be a government official
- Uses offensive language or threatens you on the phone
- Bullying you in other ways
Taking legal action
If a debt collector doesn’t follow the rules mentioned by the FDCPA, they could be liable for damages. As someone who has been harassed by a debt collector, you can take legal action, and the compensation would largely depend on the nature of noncompliance. An attorney can help evaluate the case and fight the legal battle on your behalf. You can recover statutory damages along with the fees and costs of hiring a lawyer.
How much does it cost to hire an FDCPA?
Most lawyers specializing in debt collection defense and FDCPA matters work on a contingency fee, which is payable if you win. Also, you could recover the cost of hiring a lawyer, which means you don’t have to pay anything from your pocket.
Just because you are dealing with unpaid loans doesn’t mean that you have to withstand obscene language or wrongful means used by debt collectors. While your creditor can take legal action, the agency in charge of the collection cannot deny your rights or harass you for repayments. Get in touch with an attorney in Chicago to understand the FDCPA act, and don’t shy away from asking questions related to their work profile.
