Jacksonville, Florida
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal statute which protects consumers from harassing, oppressive or abusive debt collection tactics by a debt collector while trying to collect a consumer debt. There are also Florida statutes, generally referred to as the Florida Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, which similarly protect consumers.
You have a right to be treated with truth, fairness, dignity, and respect in all your dealings with a debt collector. If you’re not, you have a right to sue them.
The attorneys at Hardesty, Tyde, Green & Ashton represent individuals who have been subjected to harassing, oppressive, or abusive debt collectors.
How can debt collectors violate your rights?
There are numerous debt collection practices that are violations of your rights under federal and Florida law. These include, but are not limited to:
- Making threatening statements to you:
- Calling you at unreasonable times;
- Contacting third parties, such as your friends or employer, regarding your debt;
- Failing to identify themselves as debt collectors; and
- Providing false information in an effort to collect a debt.
What to do if you are being contacted by debt collectors
There are several things you can do to help your case against abusive debt collectors.
- Always write down the time, date, and substance of each debt collection phone call you receive, including the caller’s name and the company they work for. Be sure to note whether you received this call on a landline or your cell phone. If debt collectors are contacting your friends or family, have them record this same information.
- Save all correspondence, including letters or emails, which you receive from debt collectors.
- Save all voice mail and phone messages from debt collectors.
- Contact our office immediately.
Damages available to you for debt collection abuse
Harassing, oppressive, or abusive debt collectors may be liable to you in money damages for their actions. Applicable laws allow for up to $1000.00 in statutory damages plus attorney’s fees and costs. In certain circumstances, additional damages may also be available. Contact our office to discus what damages are available to you.
