Debt collections
Know your rights when it comes to debt collections so you can recognize unlawful collector abuse.
Having a debt in collections is never fun, but it should never be abusive. When a collector crosses the line from aggressively seeking payment to threatening or harassing you, they violate the law.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects consumers’ rights to ensure all collectors do their jobs professionally without personal attacks. The articles in this section all focus on debt collection and how to handle your collection accounts the right way. Whether you’re trying to hide from collectors or face harassment over a debt that isn’t even yours, these articles can help.
Learn the right way to deal with your debts so you can move on quickly and minimize the hassle.
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Is a Debt Collector Harassing You?
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) protects you from debt collectors. If they break the rules, you can sue them.
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Delinquents in Debt: Americans Owe $1 Trillion on Their Credit Cards – And Struggle to Pay it Back.
Learn how to lock down delinquent credit card debt so it doesn’t get out of control in collections and start disrupting your budget. With one of these strategies, you can…
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Can Social Security Be Garnished?
Depending on the type of debt, there are laws that determine whether there can be garnishment of your benefits.
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When Do I Need a Debt Collection Attorney?
A large debt in collections can leave you wondering if – or when – you need to call a lawyer. You may feel like you need protection or simply need…
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The Small Business Debt Collection Process
For a small business, accounts receivable are both a pain and a lifeline. You need the money customers or clients owe you. But you don’t want it to be a…
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Can I Sue a Debt Collector for Harassment?
You 100% have a right to sue. If a debt collector violates the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you have a right to sue that collector in addition to filing…
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How Debt Collection Works
So you miss a monthly payment and swear you’ll get caught up next month. But then life happens and you miss a few more payments. Now you’re worried that the…
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The Facts on “Pay for Delete”
Settling a collection account for less than the full amount owed can be a godsend when you’re overwhelmed with debt. But the downside is that you incur credit damage for…
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Can Debt Collectors Call My Friends and Neighbors?
How far can a collector go when it comes to hunting you down for past-due debt. When you have a past-due debt, there’s nothing illegal about dodging a collector. You…
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Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
We break down the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) point by point so you can protect your rights against abusive collection methods.
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What Counts as Collector Harassment?
If you have a debt in collections, it’s actually in the collector’s best interest to make you uncomfortable in an effort to get you to pay. The idea is to…
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Debt Validation: How to Verify a Collection Account
If you’re facing debt collections, there’s one little-known, crucial step you need to take before you deal with any debt collector. It’s called debt validation and it’s a legal right…
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How Long Can Debt Collectors Legally Chase You?
The adage that words matter has never been truer than it is with debt collection. Debt collectors have a dark reputation, and rightly so. It’s a tough business, and unscrupulous…
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Debt Collection Statistics
As of 2019, about 26 percent of consumers in the U.S. with a credit file have a third-party collection tradeline furnished to their credit report. Unfortunately, not all of these…
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Top Collection Questions
Debt collection isn’t one of those things you learn about in school. It’s probably not a topic your parents covered when you were a kid, because they didn’t want to…