People who owe someone money may begin to receive phone calls and other communications from the person, company or third party seeking their money. However, sometimes collectors cross the line into harassment, which may include communications containing threats and incessant calls very early in the morning or late at night. Fortunately, there are places where people can turn if they experience harassment by a collector.
If you believe you are the target of creditor harassment in Texas, what are some of the entities that you can contact regarding the matter?
The Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission has a rule in place that creditors cannot exhibit abusive behavior in the process of trying to collect a debt. If a creditor is harassing you, filing a complaint with the FTC is a wise first step to take. In addition to harassment, debt collectors are also forbidden from lying in order to intimidate a debtor.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
This agency takes complaints from customers who have complaints about a business, including those wishing to report their lender, bank or similar corporation.
The attorney general
In Texas, the Attorney General’s office has a helpline that accepts calls regarding harassing actions taken by a debt collector. State Attorney General’s offices also tend to have further resources for people wanting to learn more about the debt collection process.
Knowing where to turn is prudent for those experiencing a tough time. In the instance of debt collector harassment, there are at least three places where people can generally turn for assistance.