Harassed By Debt Collectors? Know Your Rights

During this financial downturn, a lot of people have lost their jobs and are having trouble paying their bills. Many of the businesses they they owe money to will turn their claims over to a debt collection service.

Debt collection agencies specialize in recovering debts. Since they depend on getting people to pay, it is an industry that is ripe for abuse. Many of these agencies apply aggressive individuals with telemarketing skills.

It's important for people to know their rights and how to stop collection calls. Most states have laws limiting how aggressive collection callers can get.

It's bad enough to receive a call from someone trying to sell you a product, but it's much worse when you are already worried about your finances and expenses. Some of these debt collectors abuse callers by preying on the worry - hounding and abusing people with threats to embarrass them by calling their friends, family, and neighbors.

If you get hounded by an aggressive debt collector, you may want to report it and/or contact an attorney.