Debt Recovery - What are the limits?

If you have credit problems, it is important to know what creditors and collection agencies can and can not do to collect debts.

The state Consumer Protection Act prohibits certain debt collection practices are not. (MGL c. 93A, § 2 (c), 940 CMR 7.00) When you deal directly with you, creditors and collection agencies can:

We call more than twice each debt in a period of 7 days at home, or they call you more than double for each debt in a period of 30 days in a different place in your home.

I invite you without identifying either the name of the creditor and the name of the caller.

I invite you to different times of the normal waking hours. If your waking hours are unknown, then the creditor or collector may call 8:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Home visits at times other than those mentioned above. A collector may not visit more than once within 30 days> Of the debt, unless you give permission for additional visits.

Cause of charge for long distance calls (or similar charges).

I invite you to work unless it is asked to call. His oral request is valid for 10 days unless confirmed in writing within 7 days of filing. written request shall be valid unless it is written for the collector to remove the limitation.

Contact you if you told the collection agency or the creditorcontact your attorney.

False threat to sue.

Using obscene or profane language.

In addition, creditors and collection agencies can not

Tell anyone (including friends, neighbors, relatives or employers) on its debt.

The text of the famous collection in a way that clearly states or implies that a debt (for example, using a return address or above.)

Federal law provides some additionalprotection against debt collection agencies). (This law does not apply to creditors:

The collectors should check their debt. Collectors must stop calling, if within 30 days after being contacted, you send the agency a letter stating that you have no debt. You can only renew your library, if sent proof of the debt.

You can stop a debt collector with you. Write a letter tocollector telling them to stop contacting you. Once the agency receives your letter, you can not contact me again except to say that no further contact. You may also contact you to tell whether they will take specific measures, as reported to you.