Unfair Debt Collection

Protecting Washington, D.C. Consumers from Unfair Debt Collection Practices

Fighting for your rights to privacy and freedom from harassment by creditors

There are times in our lives that are more difficult than others. For some people, those hard times can lead them to fall behind in their bills. When that happens, it can feel like the creditors will never stop harassing you. But you have the right to live without harassment every day of your life. The federal government has established a legal framework within which debt collectors are permitted to operate called the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).

At the Washington, D.C. law offices of Paulson & Nace, PLLC, we understand how overwhelming it can feel when debt collectors start calling. When you feel as if you are being harassed or threatened, call our consumer protection attorney, so we can start to fight back on your behalf.

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What rights do I have as a consumer dealing with debt collectors under the FDCPA?

There are 10 “rules” that a debt collector must follow when it comes to requesting payment from a person in debt; think of them as a “bill of rights” to ensure that you are not harassed. Those rules are:

  1. No calls before 8:00 am or after 9:00 pm.
  2. No calls at your job if you have forbidden them to do so
  3. No harassing, repeated telephone calls
  4. No threats or verbal abuse
  5. No informing family and friends about your debt
  6. No collecting a debt larger than what you owe
  7. No threats of arrest
  8. A debt collector must send a written notice of the amount you owe, and what you can do if you believe you do not owe them money
  9. A debt collector must cease contacting you if you have written a request for no further contact
  10. If you dispute a debt, the debt collector must verify it

Debt collectors who are found guilty of harassing people may be subject to a fine under the FDCPA. If a debt collector unlawfully continues to do any of these things, however, you may be able to bring a lawsuit for harassment. At Paulson & Nace, we have the skills, resources and experience you want to handle the challenges of a federal lawsuit against those who are harassing you.

What is harassment by a debt collector?

Not every debt collector who calls you is guilty of harassment. On the consumerfinance.gov website, some examples of creditor harassment include:

  • Repetitious, annoying, harassing phone calls
  • Obscene or profane language
  • Threats of violence or harm
  • Publishing lists of people who have refused to pay their bills
  • Calling without informing you who they are

If you believe that a debt collector is unlawfully harassing you, you can contact the Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline: (202)442-9828 or send an email to: consumer.protection@dc.gov. You will also find a consumer complaint form on the OAG’s website. Your next step is to contact a Washington, D.C. consumer protection attorney at Paulson & Nace who will assert and protect your rights.

Don’t be a victim to harassing phone calls by creditors

At Paulson & Nace, PLLC we protect the rights of our clients and fight for justice on their behalf. If you are being harassed by debt collectors, we can help you put an end to it once and for all. Please call 202-463-1999 or fill out our contact form to speak with a skilled Washington, D.C. consumer protection lawyer about your needs.

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