Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

San Fernando Valley Bankruptcy Lawyer

The Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA) was established by the federal government to protect consumers from unfair collection practices promulgated by creditors and collection agencies who have only one thing in mind - getting their money at any cost.  Fortunately for consumers, you have legal rights.  With these laws, creditors are prohibited from violating your rights and must not use unfair, deceptive, abusive or harassing practices in their attempts to collect a debt.  Any creditor violating this law can be sued by the consumer for violations, which can lead to substantial penalties to the company that has broken the law.  If you or someone you know has been harassed or abused by creditors, you should contact a San Fernando Valley bankruptcy attorney to get the facts on what you can do to stop the harassment and even sue the company that is harassing you.

The FDCPA allows for protection to consumers who owe credit card debt, medical bills, auto loans, utility bills, department store loans and even mortgages.  Business loans are not covered by the act.  Some of the actions that creditors are prohibited from doing include:

• Claiming to be an attorney when they are not
• Falsely reporting derogatory information about you to a credit bureau
• Threatening to take legal action against you when they are not authorized to or don't intend to
• Threatening to garnish your wages or take your property unless they can legally do so
• Claiming to be able to have you arrested
• Claiming to work for the government
• Falsely claiming  you owe more than you do
• Using abusive language
• Threatening you with physical harm

Preventing Creditor Abuse

No one should have to be subjected to being treated unfairly by ruthless creditors.  With the help of the Law Offices of John Ribarich, you can stop the harassment by retaining our firm as your legal advisor.  Creditors must stop all contact with you if you inform them you have an attorney.  Our firm can then take legal steps to file a lawsuit on your behalf against the abusive collection agency if it can be proven that they have violated the law.

Contact a San Fernando Valley Bankruptcy Attorney today for a free consultation.  We are here to protect your rights.