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Consumer rights in debt collection

On Behalf of | Jan 15, 2019 | Credit Card Debt

People in Tennessee who owe consumer debt may have a responsibility to repay their debt but they also have other rights. Knowing these rights and knowing what inappropriate and even potentially illegal actions by debt collectors to look for is important for all consumers. 

As explained by Credit Karma, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act provides strict guidelines within which debt collectors are supposed to act. For example, a consumer should not be contacted by a debt collector outside the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. There are also limits on who else a debt collector may discuss a person’s debt with. Single calls may be made to employers or others but only to obtain location or contact information for the debtor. Consumers should always get full business name and other details from a debt collector to verify that the business is legitimate.

Consumers have the right to verify that a debt is legitimately owed. They have the right to request a debt collector send them proof of the debt listing the original creditor information and reason for the debt. A debt collector is also legally obligated to mail a copy of an original debt notice that identifies the referral path to a debt collector up front.

AARP adds that there are several scams in which people attempt to collect debt illegally which makes it even more important that consumers exercise their rights and obtain documentation of any debt before agreeing to any payments. These scams may be run in person, via phone or even on social media platforms.

 

 

 

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