Debt Collectors and Consumer Rights
Your rights as a consumer protect you from aggressive debt collectors and unfair or deceptive practices.
All consumers have certain rights, even if they're in debt. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and other laws, you can fight unfair or misleading practices by creditors, debt collectors and others.
This page is your hub for learning about your consumer rights.
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How the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Protects You
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that protects consumers from abusive, misleading, or harassing tactics by debt collectors. This article will explore the basic protections you’re given by the FDCPA and provide you with some helpful tips on how to deal with debt collectors who don’t follow the rules.
Read More →How to Deal with Debt Collectors (when you can’t pay)
If you’re receiving calls from debt collectors about unpaid debt, there’s an obvious way to make it go away: Pay off the debt in question. But what if you’re at a point where it’s impossible for you to pay? It might seem like you’re out of options, but don’t despair - there’s a way out of this.
Read More →How to Stop Debt Collection Companies?
Do you want to stop debt collection companies? You may need to do more than to request that they stop contacting you.
Read More →What is a Consumer Protection Attorney?
A consumer protection attorney may help you protect your rights under one or many consumer protection laws.
Read More →What is a Debt Collection Attorney?
If you're having trouble finding a debt collection attorney to help you with a lawsuit, you might want to consider filing for bankruptcy relief. You can file bankruptcy without an attorney to get rid of debts.
Read More →Steps to Take if a Debt Collector Sues You?
There are three steps you can take if a debt collector sues you. Or, you can file bankruptcy. A bankruptcy will stop any pending debt collection lawsuits against you.
Read More →How to protect yourself from debt collector harassment
You work hard to pay your bills, but unfortunately, you fell behind on your credit card payments and negotiations with creditors failed. Now your credit card debt has been sold to a debt collection agency that harasses you with endless phone calls, at times even threatening you. Is there anything you can do? Is this even legal? How do you get the debt collectors to stop harassing you? Continue reading to learn about the law on unfair collection practices and what your options are to protect yourself.
Read More →Are You Getting Calls From Collection Agencies and Worried What Might Happen? Find Out Here!
Calls from debt collectors are stressful and - if you don’t know what to expect they can be downright scary. Learn whether a collection agency can sue you and how to protect your rights, so you’re ready the next time a collection agency calls.
Read More →How to Stop Collection Calls (Guide)
If you have debt you’re struggling to manage, you don’t need the added stress of irritating collection calls. Keep reading to learn how you can stop debt collection calls from interrupting your life.
Read More →Will I Go to Jail for Not Paying My Debts?
You can't be thrown in jail for not paying your credit cards and it's illegal for collection agencies to threaten you with jail time over the phone. Don’t be intimidated by such threats; be proactive, know your rights under the FDCPA, and research your debt relief options, such as credit counseling and Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Read More →Credit Report Fraud
Millions of people are victims of identity theft and other forms of credit report fraud each year. By carefully monitoring your credit and diligently rooting out credit report fraud, you can better ensure that, even if you’ve become a victim of fraud, your financial future will be protected.
Read More →How to Remove Collection Accounts From Your Credit Report
You have a legal right to dispute debt reported by collection agencies and debt collectors. You can ask for validation or that it be removed from your credit report.
Read More →I Am Being Sued for a Credit Card Debt. Now What?
A credit card company is suing you for unpaid debts. What do you do? This article explains how to handle a credit card lawsuit, different defenses you can use, and what to do if a judgment is entered against you.
Read More →How to Dispute a Debt You Don’t Owe
Credit reports are supposed to be accurate, but it isn’t uncommon to find errors. Learn how to dispute misreported information.
Read More →Help! I’m Being Sued For An Old Debt
This article will discuss the ways to handle a debt collection lawsuit. You'll learn how to save time and money when defending against a debt collection matter and may even learn how to win the case.
Read More →Can I Remove Student Loans From My Credit Report?
You can have information on your credit report removed or corrected if it’s not accurate. Three main consumer reporting agencies provide credit reports. Also known as credit bureaus, they are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. They have a duty to report your credit history accurately, including student loans and payment histories. While incorrect information can be fixed, you can’t remove information from your credit report that is accurate.
Read More →A Guide to Arizona Debt Collection Law
Do you live in Arizona? Are you behind on your credit card or other consumer debt payments? The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act dictates many of Arizona’s laws in this area. But there are some key differences between the FDCPA and the laws of the state of Arizona. Here we will examine the laws of Arizona pertaining to debt collection, where they differ from the FDCPA, and why this issue should matter to you.
Read More →The Judge In Small Claims Court Was Wrong. Can I Appeal?
Unlike other types of lawsuits, not everyone has a right to appeal a small claims case. This article will explore how small claims appeals differ by state. It is important to understand how your state deals with small claims appeals specifically, as rules vary significantly from state to state.
Read More →What Are My Rights When A Debt Collector Is Threatening To Sue Me?
Being sued by a debt collector can be a scary thing, but you have rights that protect you from harrassment and abusive collection practices. These rights and the rules debt collectors must follow are outlined in the Fair Debt Collection Protections Act. Learn what they mean for you and how to respond to a debt collector that has violated these rules. Also, find out what steps you can take if a debt collector has filed a lawsuit against you.
Read More →Cancellation Of Debt & Related Pitfalls
If you have debts that you are unable to pay, bankruptcy is not your only option. You might be able to negotiate with your creditors to have some of your debt canceled. Learn what debt cancellation is, how it works, and forms of debt cancellation have to be declared as taxable income and which. Also find out which method of debt cancellation might work best for your situation.
Read More →4 Things You Should Know About The Statute Of Limitations
This article will explain four things that you should know about the statute of limitations, a state law that limits the time a debt collector has to bring a lawsuit. Once the time limit has passed, you'll be able to defeat a debt collection lawsuit and avoid a judgment.
Read More →How Debt Relief Works
If you're struggling to keep up with the minimum payments or paying everything you can and not making a dent in the balances that you owe, there are several debt relief options available to help you eliminate your debt and move forward with your life. Read this article to learn the different types of debt relief available and how they work, the benefits and risks associated with each option, and which debt relief solution(s), if any, may be a “good fit” for your situation.
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