Debt Collectors Become More Aggressive

Filed in archive Debt Collection , Debt Collection Law on July 15, 2010

© danesparza

Beware! Debt collectors are becoming more aggressive these days. There have been recent reports from many consumers that they have experienced getting unpleasant behavior from debt collectors including harassing phone calls, abusive language and physical violence to force people to pay up.

Complaints about unruly attitudes from debt collection agents grew by as much as 50% in 2009 based on a report from the Federal Trade Commission. And for the first six months of 2010, complaints about harassment from debt collection agencies has shot up by as much as 13% already.

The most common complaint is repeated calls over a period of days, weeks, months or even years. Many of them also use obscene or abusive language. Some even go so far as to call other people related to the person they are trying to collect money from, like an estranged relative, an ex-lover or a former spouse.

All of these are illegal under the FTC's Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, which has been around since 1977. Consumers who are victimized by a collection agency can go to either state or federal courts to report the harassment. If the case turns in favor of the consumer, the harassing collector may be required to pay for damages, lost income, and medical bills.

And even if monetary damages are not assessed by the courts, collectors may still be ordered to pay up to $1,000 and reimburse the complainants for court and attorney's fees.