Continuous calls to Family and Friends

by F Anton

A specific debt collector continuously contacts my family and friends as early as 8am. I no longer live with them, haven't for years now, and, in fact, no longer live in the same country. My family is feeling harassed by the said collector.

What can they do or I do for them?

Comments for Continuous calls to Family and Friends

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Mar 07, 2010
 debt collector calling friends and family
by: Gerri and Mary

Thanks for submitting your debt collection question on our Q&A page.

Under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, collectors can only call a third party if they are trying to locate you. Once they have located you, those calls should stop. In addition there is only a limited amount of information they can discuss with a third party. (I assume none of these people are cosigners for your debts. If they are, then these rules do not apply.)

If the debt collectors don't have a way to reach you, then I would suggest you set one up - even if it's just a skype telephone number and a postal box in the country where you are living. I wouldn't recommend you try to avoid them completely, or they may get a default judgment against you which could create problems if you return to the U.S..

Give that information to your friends and family who are getting these calls. They can provide that information to the debt collectors and those calls should stop. Ask your friends to jot down written notes of who they talked with when.

If the calls do not stop, or if the collectors already have your contact information and are calling third parties nonetheless, you should immediately contact a consumer law attorney.

Anytime you think the debt collector has broken the law, you can contact a local consumer law attorney with experience in debt collection cases. Find out how to get FREE or low cost legal advice about debt collection from a consumer law attorney here.

Remember, if you successfully sue the debt collector for violations of the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are entitled to attorney fees and you may be entitled to damages as well.

Of course, while this may stop collectors from calling 3rd parties, you'll still need to figure out a way to deal with these debts. We hope our ebook will be helpful to you in that regard.

Please let us know how it turns out for you by sharing an update in the comments section.

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