When dealing with an abusive debt collector it is difficult to know where to start. Debtors may already know that debt collection agencies are fast approaching. Often times a first warning is the final notice in the mail, sometimes there is no notice at all. Dealing with debt collectors can be frustrating and sometimes will require a knack for negotiating. Sometimes, however, negotiating is not enough. The calls still continue, the abuse still runs rampant, and peace of mind is just a fleeting hope. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act was created to protect consumers from these very abuses. Here are some tips that can help consumers and their consumer advocate to bring these abusive debt collectors to justice. 1.Get their offer in writing. When negotiating the best payment plan, it's important to get the deal in writing. It will probably be with a promissory note, which debt collectors may ask consumers to sign, to assure they will get their money in case the payments are not paid as agreed. If consumers are not sure what to do, contacting an attorney who belongs to NACA, National Association of Consumer Advocates may be a useful first step. 2. What to do to help when seeking help from an attorney. An attorney will need credit reports to better evaluate the situation. Everyone is entitled to one free credit report each year from each of the three primary agencies, TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. These reports are available for free at Annualcreditreport(dot)com Prepare phone logs of who called, when and the content of the call, if possible. Consumers can tape the calls, but in California notification that the call is being recorded is necessary before the fact. A collector may hang up if they don't grant permission for the recording to take place. A tape may be helpful to note exactly what was said, which is sometimes difficult to remember if when dealing with abuse, unnecessary personal attacks, and complicated situations. Save any voicemails or messages that are received from the collector. 3. Sometimes consumers may have filed for bankruptcy and still receive demands from collection agencies to pay. This may be a violation of the law. Consumer's should inform their attorney if this occurs. If you or someone you know is being abused by a debt collector, don't accept the abuse. Contact an attorney who specializes in cases of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, often times it will cost the consumer nothing and benefit them greatly. Not only will it help on a personal level, it will help to clean up an area rife with wrongdoing. Norman Taylor & Associates are consumer advocates who know when consumers' rights are being violated and what can be done to stop abusive debt collectors. Helping consumers since 1987, they have handled over 8,000 consumer cases. The best possible support when dealing with debt collector abuse is the assistance and advice of an attorney who has a solid understanding of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the knowledge of how to put an end to these abusive debt collection practices. Norman Taylor & Associates may be contacted at 1-800-764-7182. About Norman Taylor & Associates - Consumer Advocates Norman F. Taylor and Associates have been assisting consumers since 1987. At Norman Taylor & Associates, the goal is to provide clients with the highest quality of legal representation. The firm and its associates are experts in both the debt collection laws the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). They can provide you the help you need to end debt collection harassment and bring you peace of mind. They represent consumers all over the state of California. With a twenty two year history of successful cases, Norman Taylor & Associates has established their reputation as a firm of consumer advocates that get the job done.
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