{"id":1002,"date":"2019-06-12T08:06:15","date_gmt":"2019-06-12T08:06:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/?p=1002"},"modified":"2020-03-23T16:46:10","modified_gmt":"2020-03-23T16:46:10","slug":"how-debt-collection-laws-help-pennsylvanians","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/how-debt-collection-laws-help-pennsylvanians\/","title":{"rendered":"How Debt Collection Laws Help Pennsylvanians"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1200\" height=\"628\" class=\"wp-image-1003\" src=\"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Past-Due-Debt.jpg\" alt=\"Past due bills debt\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Past-Due-Debt.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Past-Due-Debt-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Past-Due-Debt-768x402.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Past-Due-Debt-1024x536.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>When you owe money to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/practice-areas\/debt-collection\">debt collection<\/a> agency, its employees have the right to contact you and try to recoup that debt.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>But those rights only go so far. The federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act regulates what debt collectors, or law firms acting as collectors, can do when contacting Pennsylvania consumers, and bars them from engaging in deception while trying to recover money that is owed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>In this blog post, we\u2019re going to look at how federal debt collection laws help Pennsylvania consumers avoid harassment and threatening tactics used by collectors.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><strong>What do debt collection laws say about the way a collector may contact you?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" class=\"wp-image-1004\" src=\"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Fair-Debr-Collection-Practices-Act-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Fair Debt Collection Practices\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Fair-Debr-Collection-Practices-Act-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Fair-Debr-Collection-Practices-Act-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Fair-Debr-Collection-Practices-Act.jpg 795w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Under the law, unless a collector has your consent they cannot contact you:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.<\/li>\r\n<li>At work if they know your employer disapproves of these calls<\/li>\r\n<li>After retaining an attorney to handle the debt<\/li>\r\n<li>At unusual times and places<\/li>\r\n<li>By cell phone without your permission<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2>I\u2019m being harassed by a debt collector. Am I protected by the l<strong>aw?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>According to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, debt collectors are not allowed to \u201charass, oppress or abuse\u201d you or use tactics such as:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" class=\"wp-image-1005\" src=\"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Debt-collector-calling-in-middle-of-night-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Woman getting debt collection phone call in the middle of the night.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Debt-collector-calling-in-middle-of-night-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Debt-collector-calling-in-middle-of-night-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Debt-collector-calling-in-middle-of-night.jpg 795w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Obscene or profane language<\/li>\r\n<li>Threats of violence<\/li>\r\n<li>Repeated phone calls aimed to annoy you<\/li>\r\n<li>Threats of legal action or file a lawsuit on a time-barred debt.<\/li>\r\n<li>Continued collection efforts after writing them to stop.<\/li>\r\n<li>Speak with third parties, such as relatives, co-workers, friends or neighbors, and reveal information about the debt while trying to collect.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Debt collectors are also prohibited from using \u201cunfair or unconscionable\u201d practices to recoup a debt, including:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" class=\"wp-image-1007\" src=\"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Credit-Report-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"False reporting to credit bureaus\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Credit-Report-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Credit-Report-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Credit-Report-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Credit-Report.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Collecting more money than you actually owe, except in cases where such a collection is permitted by law, or is part of the agreement that created the debt<\/li>\r\n<li>Depositing a post-dated check early<\/li>\r\n<li>Placing private, personal information that is visible through, or on, a mailing envelope or package.<\/li>\r\n<li>Provide inaccurate or false information to the credit bureaus<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2>How do debt collection laws prevent collectors from making false statements?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Debt collectors or collection law firms cannot make false or misleading statements when trying to collect a debt. This means they cannot:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Falsely imply that documents sent to you are legal documents<\/li>\r\n<li>Falsely claim to be attorneys if they are not<\/li>\r\n<li>Imply that you\u2019ve committed a crime<\/li>\r\n<li>Threaten you with a lawsuit when they can\u2019t or have no actual plans to do so<\/li>\r\n<li>Misrepresent the collection agency as a credit bureau<\/li>\r\n<li>Misrepresent the amount of the debt or legal status of the debt<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2>What if a debt collector won\u2019t stop calling?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" class=\"wp-image-1006\" src=\"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Cease-and-Desiste-Letter-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Cease-and-Desiste-Letter-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Cease-and-Desiste-Letter-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Cease-and-Desiste-Letter-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Cease-and-Desiste-Letter.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>You can get a collector to stop placing calls to you by writing a Cease and Desist letter. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the collector is then barred from contacting you. You should send this letter by Certified Mail Return Receipt for proof that your letter was received.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Each harassing phone call must be documented.\u00a0 Make notes that detail the abusive behavior, along with the date and time of the call, collector&#8217;s name and caller ID.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2>Legal Help from an Experienced Consumer Protection Law Firm<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>And at a certain point, you may need the services of an experienced consumer protection law firm to protect you from debt collection law violations.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300\" height=\"197\" class=\"wp-image-363\" src=\"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/AMM-CLF-JLJ-at-conf-table-8-2017-300x197.jpg\" alt=\"Law Teaam at Consumers Law\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/AMM-CLF-JLJ-at-conf-table-8-2017-300x197.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/AMM-CLF-JLJ-at-conf-table-8-2017-768x504.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/AMM-CLF-JLJ-at-conf-table-8-2017-1024x672.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Flitter Milz, a nationally recognized consumer protection law firm based in suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, represents consumers nationwide, in cases for individuals and in class action lawsuits, who have become victim of debt collection law violations and a collector\u2019s abusive practices. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/practice-areas\/debt-collection\/\">Learn more <\/a>about how we can protect you against abusive collectors who violate debt collection laws in Pennsylvania.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/contact-us\/\">Contact us<\/a> for a free consultation to discuss calls and letters that have been sent to you from collection agencies or law firm collectors.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When you owe money to a debt collection agency, its employees have the right to contact you and try to recoup that debt. But those rights only go so far. The federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act regulates what debt collectors, or law firms acting as collectors, can do when contacting Pennsylvania consumers, and bars &hellip; <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/how-debt-collection-laws-help-pennsylvanians\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">How Debt Collection Laws Help Pennsylvanians<\/span> &rarr;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[6,4],"tags":[41,52],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1002"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1002"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1002\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2018,"href":"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1002\/revisions\/2018"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1002"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1002"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.consumerslaw.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1002"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}