Debt collectors can be harsh, and if you are on the verge of bankruptcy they can be brutally harassing you day in and day out. Did you know that debt collectors have to follow a set of guidelines with respects to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act? Did you also know that if you file for bankruptcy, the calls and harassing letters will stop?
There are guidelines that creditors must follow while attempting to collect debt from you and/or any other individual. To know and understand these guidelines can protect you from being harassed outside the limitations of what is allowed. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, debt collectors must not:
* Disclose your personal information to any third party
* Use abusive language when calling
* Misrepresent the amount of debt or the status of debt being collected
* Call you after 9pm, or before 8am (if a collection agency)
* Speak with you without announcing who he/she is, and/or who he/she is representing
In dealing with creditors, it is often the case that if you are struggling for an extended period of time, you may want to consider filing for bankruptcy. When an individual files for bankruptcy there is a point in which the collectors MUST stop calling and/or sending you mail. All correspondence will go through the courts, so that your stress level can go down.
Did you know that if you re-locate collectors can use means of contacting your family and/or friends to find out where to continue calling and/or mailing? As embarrassing as this may sounds, it is a fact. Collectors can use the following information to find you after a relocation:
* Family, Friends, Coworkers
* Banks, Trust, Post Office
* Motor Vehicle Information and/or Registrations
* Old employers, landlords and/or neighbors
It is often recommended that if you are consistently having to deal with harassing debt collectors, you speak with a San Antonio bankruptcy lawyer. These professionals take the time to let you know exactly where you stand, so that you can make an informed decision as to whether or not file for personal bankruptcy.
There are many bankruptcy laws that are difficult to understand, but with the assistance of a professional, you may find that some of the laws may work in your favor. Often times debt can be eliminated after filing, or re-organized so that your payments are more affordable within your limitations.
If you are currently suffering through harassing mail, and are screening your message machine and phone calls for debt collectors it may be time to consider filing for bankruptcy. Contact a professional and see what you can do to improve your financial future. What do you have to lose?
Jeff Davis is the Owner of the Davis law firm, and a highly experienced San Antonio bankruptcy attorney. To find out more information about a San Antonio bankruptcy lawyer, please visit www.jeffdavislawfirm.com.