Fight Back Against Debt Buyer Harassment and Collection Lawsuits
August 7, 2008
Is it possible to get a debt collection lawsuit over a debt so old your credit company had already written it off as a loss? As two women found out, the answer is unfortunately, yes. Even worse—it’s legal.
A recent My 9 News story reveals that debt collectors such as New Jersey-based First Century Financial buy up old credit card debts at pennies on the dollar, then use their legal arm Pressler & Pressler to pressure consumers into paying up – even if the debt is too old to legally collect. The two women featured on the show were shocked to receive debt collection letters, claiming they owed thousands of dollars to collectors they’ve never even heard of, and that failure to pay would result in arrest and legal action.
Thankfully, there are ways to fight back. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects consumers from debt collection harassment. When faced with a debt collection letter you should always demand proof of the debt’s existence and the name and address of the original creditor. If you receive any legal papers – a lawsuit – you should contact a qualified attorney immediately.
Have you been the victim of debt collection harassment? If so, contact me or click here to set up a free, no-obligation telephone consultation to discuss your rights.
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