PFAU COCHRAN VERTETIS AMALA
Seattle Office: (206) 462-4334 | Tacoma Office: (253) 777-0799 | New York Office: (212) 300-2444
PFAU COCHRAN VERTETIS AMALA
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What To Do When Debt Collectors Overstep Their Legal Bounds

It’s important to know your rights when a debt collector harasses you.

We are all jumping on the credit card bandwagon, and many of us are struggling to make the required payments. In line with this, devious debt collectors are doing everything they can to collect our debt. Debt collection is a very profitable industry. However, because of this a number of debt collectors are getting greedy and using overly aggressive tactics to get our money.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that was passed by Congress in 1977. It applies to the debt collection efforts of a third party, i.e., persons other than the original creditor. The FDCPA was put in place to protect consumers, like you, from harassment and unfair or abusive debt collection practices, and gives you the opportunity to fight back against the scrupulous collectors.

Examples of FDCPA violations include:

  • Calling a debtor a ridiculous number of times per day
  • Contacting a debtor who is represented by an attorney
  • Shouting or screaming at a debtor
  • Using abusive, foul or obscene language
  • Threatening the debtor with unsubstantiated criminal charges
  • Contacting the debtors relative or friend with regard to the debt

Put simply, the FDCPA states that debt collectors are not allowed to engage in or threaten illegal actions, such as those stated above, when they are trying to collect debts. If a collector goes against the law and violates the FDCPA, then you can reverse the situation and file a lawsuit against them.

Did You Know?

The FDCPA only covers consumer — i.e., household or personal — debt and does not cover business-related debt collection.

If you think you have a case, under the FDCPA, then victims of abuse by debt collectors have the right to sue their violators. If the victim wins the case, it is even possible to recover compensation, and the accused collector may even have to pay the court and attorney fees — so no out-of-pocket expenses for you. Just think about that — if you have an FDCPA claim, you’ll get a free attorney!

Did You Know?

Some FDCPA cases even result in big winnings for consumers. For example, a woman from Kansas City sued a big debt collection agency after they violently pursued her, and she won. The debt collectors were fined over $250,000, and she was awarded more than $82,000 in damages!

So what is stopping you from fighting back?! If you become a victim of unfair debt collectors, let us help you get what you deserve! We will pursue the despicable debt collectors who go against the law and will sue them for you. We do this because we want to protect consumers by identifying and adequately punishing debt collectors who violate the FDCPA. So, if you are facing an unsavory debt collector, come talk to us!

List Of Lenders And Debt Collectors

The following is a list of debt collection agencies and lenders who have recent filings with the Washington State Attorney General’s Office. You can file a complaint with the AGO by clicking here. Note, we do not know if the complaints are of activities that violate the FDCPA, and inclusion on this list does not indicate a problem, but if you have had a problem with any of the following companies, we’d like to hear from you.

  • AFNI
  • Accelerated Receivables
  • ACS Legal
  • Afni Collections
  • Alpine Payment Systems
  • American Cash Services
  • American Coradius International
  • Central Credit Services
  • Chapman Financial
  • Convergent Outsourcing
  • Credit Concepts
  • Ditech Financial
  • Dynamic Collectors
  • Echostar Dispute Resolution
  • Encore Capital Group
  • Evergreen Financial
  • Evergreen Professional Recoveries
  • Exeter Finance
  • Expect Payment Solutions
  • Fingerhut Customer Card Services
  • Forward Movement Recovery
  • Green Tree Servicing
  • Midland Credit Management
  • Midland Funding
  • National Credit Systems
  • Navient
  • Ocwen Financial
  • Ocwen Loan
  • OneAmerica Financial
  • OneMain Financial
  • Portfolio Recovery Associates
  • Puget Sound Collections
  • Quality Loan Service
  • Receivables Performance
  • Receivables Performance Management
  • Reliable Credit Association
  • Renton Collections
  • Sallie Mae
  • Seterus
  • Specialized Loan Servicing
  • Valley Empire Collections

Request A Free Consultation

When you bring your consumer abuse case to Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala PLLC, you can be sure that you will work closely with accomplished professionals. Complete our online form or call our Seattle or Tacoma offices at (206) 462-4334 or (253) 777-0799. We work on contingency so you only pay if we win.

How much do you charge?

Our work is done on a contingency basis. This means that you do not pay us on an hourly basis, and we advance the costs of litigation. If we help you resolve your case, we receive a percentage of the amount you receive, and you reimburse us for the costs we advanced on your behalf.

Consumer Protection