Being in financial debt can be stressful in itself, even without considering the different means of debt collection. While some debt collectors show compassion, their ultimate aim is to collect payments.
This means that they may lack empathy for how a person got into financial trouble in the first place. It also means that they can make errors or even engage in misconduct.
Millions of people across America are struggling financially through no fault of their own. Perhaps this is the situation you find yourself in. Debt collectors have a right to collect payments, but they should treat you with dignity, refrain from harassing you and stick to protocol at all times.
Debt collectors are not law enforcement
Debt collectors have limited powers, but not as many as law enforcement. Collection agents have no right to impersonate police officers, threaten to have you arrested or claim that you have committed a crime when you haven’t.
Making you feel harassed
Just because collection agents have been tasked with taking payments, this does not give them a license to harass you. They should not call you before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. Additionally, they are never entitled to threaten you with violence or physical harm. You have a right to feel safe. If you have reported debt collectors for harassment and requested that they stop contacting you directly, then they should honor this.
It is not a crime to be struggling financially and you should not face ill-treatment if you find yourself in this position. Help is available and the first step might be to assess your legal rights.
