What Should I Do If I am Being Contacted Frequently About Credit Card Debt?

Owing a significant amount of credit can bring a lot of added stress to your life. If you are frequently being contacted by debt collectors about that debt, you are likely feeling even more stressed about your financial circumstances. It is important to know that you have rights concerning contact from debt collectors. In addition, you may have options for debt relief that can help to eradicate some of that stress associated with your credit card debt. Our Lilburn credit card debt lawyers are here to help you. If you are being contacted frequently about credit card debt, consider the following information.

Do You Actually Owe the Debt?

 The first thing to consider is whether you actually owe the debt. In other words, are you being contacted about debt that you incurred? It is critical to ask the debt collector for details about the debt, including when and where it was incurred. Consumers can often be contacted about debt they never incurred in the first place.

Then, if you did incur the debt, has the statute of limitations run out on debt collection for the debt? If so, the collector may be attempting to collect on debt that you are no longer legally liable for under the statute of limitations. If this is the case, there are no legal actions that the debt collector can take against you.

Is the Contact Occurring in Violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act? 

If you do owe the credit card debt and you are being contacted frequently, you should consider whether the debt collector’s actions violate your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).

The FDCPA limits the amount of times a debt collector can make contact with a debtor on a regular basis, as well as where and what times the debt collector can contact the debtor. For example, if you tell a debt collector not to contact you at work, they must not contact you at work. A debt collector also cannot contact you at all hours, such as in the middle of the night. Doing so could rise to the level of unlawful harassment under the FDCPA, and you could be eligible to take legal action.

Do You Have Debt Relief Options? 

Finally, your next step should be to consider debt relief options. For debtors with a significant amount of past due credit card debt, it may be possible to negotiate a settlement. With a debt settlement, you may be able to pay only a percentage of what you owe in order to “settle” the debt. That means the creditor will forgive the remaining amount, and you will no longer owe the debt.

Contact a Georgia Credit Card Debt Lawyer 

Are you being contacted frequently by debt collectors concerning credit card debt? It is important to discuss your situation with an experienced Georgia debt settlement attorney at Konn Law Firm LLC. If you do not actually owe the debt, we can help you to understand your options for stopping debt collection contact. If you do owe the debt, we can discuss options for debt relief. You may be eligible for debt settlement, for example. We can also ensure that your rights under the FDCPA are not being violated. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you with frequent contact from debt collectors over credit card debt.

Source:

ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/fair-debt-collection-practices-act-text