When you’re in debt, you have enough to worry about without constant phone calls from the collector. However, when these impede your ability to complete daily tasks, it can become overwhelming. If this resembles your circumstances, understanding your rights as a consumer is vital to protecting yourself. Keep reading to learn how often a debt collector can call you regarding a debt and discover how a California debt collection harassment lawyer can help you if you’re experiencing harassment.
Are There Rules on How Often a Debt Collector Can Call Me?
When you receive multiple calls in a short period from a debt collector in reference to an owed debt, you may not know where to turn. Luckily, there are laws in place to protect consumers from harassment on behalf of a debt collector.
Generally, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) helps protect consumers from unfair and abusive practices from those collecting debt. This includes repeated harassing phone calls from collectors to those who owe a debt.
Until recently, there were no strict guidelines about how many phone calls a collector could make in one day. They were only in violation of the FDCPA if the calls were intended to annoy, harass, and abuse the person on the other end of the line.
However, the Federal Trade Commission recently clarified the rules regarding collections, now clarifying that collectors cannot call you more than seven times within a seven-day period or within seven days of speaking to you about a debt. This is in addition to prohibiting you before 8 a.m. and after 9 p.m., calling you at work after you inform them you are not allowed to take personal phone calls on the job, and messaging you via social media.
It is vital to understand that there are other behaviors that may constitute a violation. For example, if a debt collector calls you seven times in the allotted period but places all seven calls on the same day, it may warrant a violation of the FDCPA.
Can I Recover Compensation?
If you’re facing harassment from a debt collector, understanding your rights is essential. Regardless of whether or not you owe the debt, if a collector violated the FDCPA, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Not only can you report the collector to state and federal authorities for violating federal laws, but you can also pursue compensation.
In instances where a collector caused economic damages like lost wages or medical bills, you may be entitled to compensation. Even if you did not incur damages, you can still win up to $1,000 per violation.
When you’re experiencing harassment from a collector, you shouldn’t have to suffer in silence. At Loker Law, we understand how frustrating, stressful, and overwhelming this can be. As such, we are dedicated to helping you through this challenging time. Contact us today to connect with a dedicated attorney to learn how we can assist you.
