Complaints of harassment by debt collectors increased by 50% in 2009, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
While calls to your home or workplace are not illegal, foul language is. Complaints of debt collectors using abusive or foul language surged 35% last year.
If you are being harassed, you are protected under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Illegal collection tactics include everything from threatening to garnish wages or press fraud charges to contacting your family or neighbors to discuss the debt.
I forgot what it's like to have our phone ringing off the hook with collectors calling constantly. Ever since we started our balance liquidation programs and have begun getting loan modifications on our home loans, the calls have come to a halt. I haven't had anyone get out of line with me, but the one after another calls are ridiculous.
One thing I find interesting in this article is debt collectors can now contact you on social networks like Facebook. But they cannot friend you without telling you that they are a debt collector. Remember you have rights.
Have you ever been contacted by a debt collector? What was your experience?
[This post is written and copyrighted by Financial Elite (http://financialelite.blogspot.com/ ).]
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