Like everyone else, you had probably taken loans with the intention of repaying back on time. If you fail to do that, your creditor will do their best to recover the same. Financial institutions and lenders often rely on debt collectors and agencies to solicit repayments, but that doesn’t mean that they can harass the debtor. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) gives certain rights to consumers and has set penalties against debt collection agencies that violate those rights. If you think your rights have been violated, consider calling a debt collection defense attorney Chicago to know more. Here’s a quick guide for finding top lawyers.
Talking to a debt collector
Debt collectors must identify themselves, explain the motive behind calling you and share other relevant information. There are certain debt collection practices that are prohibited by the FDCPA. For instance, a collector cannot do the following –
- Call you at odd hours
- State false details about the debt
- Try to collect money that’s not a part of the original contract
- Pretend to be a lawyer or take legal action
- Use any kind of deceptive practices
- Using language that’s offensive or obscene in any manner
- Threaten violence in any form
Finding local debt collection attorneys
You can ask around to find local debt collection attorneys in your area in Chicago. If you don’t have references handy, consider checking websites like Nolo and Justia. Many law firms offer a free initial consultation with defense attorneys, and you can discuss your case in detail to know whether you have a valid case.
Things to know
May local lawyers may charge a contingency fee for your case. Thanks to the fee-shifting provision of the FDCPA, you could recover your lawyer’s fee from the debt collector. You don’t have to deal with financial distress and can expect to get a fair settlement for your situation. Your lawyer may have a few questions related to your financial situation, including whether you have been considering bankruptcy as an option.
Final word
Creditors and lenders have their rights and can take legal action against debtors who refuse to return the due money. However, this doesn’t mean you have to withstand harassment in any form from the debt collector hired by your creditor. Talk to a debt collection attorney today to know whether you should pursue legal action and expect to get compensated for your suffering.
