What can you do to fight back against creditor harassment?
New York consumers who are dealing with an overwhelming amount of debt may find they have to deal with attempts from creditors to collect on past-due balances. Creditors and debt collectors have the right to seek payment from consumers, but there are limits to what they can do and say. In fact, consumers have the right to fight back against creditor harassment and inappropriate treatment.
No matter how much debt you owe, you do not have to put up with harassing treatment from creditors and debt collectors. You can fight back against these actions as well as seek a better financial future for yourself. Filing for bankruptcy may provide you with a way to deal with your debt and put a stop to contact from creditors once and for all.
What counts as harassment?
Harassment from creditors can come in many forms. You may think that you have to put up with it because you have a lot of debt, but that may not be the case. It is in your interests to learn about what counts as harassment and how you can protect yourself from threats and other types of inappropriate treatment. You may be a victim of creditor harassment if you are experiencing the following:
- Calling you over and over simply to threaten, intimidate or annoy you
- Using profane language when talking to you on the phone
- Calling you at work after you asked them not to
- Talking with others about your financial situation
- Threatening to violate your privacy
- Threatening physical harm or calling you without identifying themselves
They cannot tell you false information, lie to you or attempt to mislead you in order to get information or coerce payment from you. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects you from these behaviors and others, and you have the right to fight back.
Deal with your debt once and for all
It is in your interests to deal with your debt. Not only will this put a stop to accumulating interest and much of your financial stress, it can help you halt all contact from debt collectors. When you file for bankruptcy, it will enact the automatic stay, which will halt all further contact from creditors and attempts to collect on past-due balances.
It can be helpful to learn more about the benefits of bankruptcy and how this step can help you secure a better financial future that is free from creditor harassment and other debt-related issues.
