The Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA) protects you from being harassed by your debt collector. The legislature protects you from threats that seem to corner you into paying your debts. Debt collectors are required to adhere to the protocol of debt collection.
Your rights as provided by the FDCPA are as follows:
1. Only a judge can order a bench warrant. Your debt collector cannot threaten you with arrest.
2. If you have refused even just once, your debt collector may not call your work.
3. Only a court order can garnish your salaries.
4. Your debt collector is not allowed to share the detailsf your debts even with your friends and family. However, he can ask them information about your whereabouts.
5. Your debt collector must maintain professionalism at all times. He is not allowed to use foul languages against you.
6. When needed, your debt collector should tell you who he is when he is calling you. He should also tell you who he is collecting for.
At the first instance of violations of these provisions, you have the right to report your debt collector to the proper authorities. You can request the debt collector to stop calling or sending letters when they have already become a nuisance to you.
Haggling is an art so haggle with your debt collector once you decide to pay off your debt. For most debt collectors, to collect something is better than not collecting anything at all.