Faced with debt collector harassment? Complain to the Federal Trade Commission

If you were a victim of illegal debt collection, it is important to consult an attorney debt fair. Equally important, however, is to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, or toll-free number to call or Use the online complaint form. According to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Federal Trade Commission is obliged to report to Congress each yearAgency efforts to protect consumers from illegal practices of debt collection. The FTC recently released the 2011 report highlights a worrying trend the number of complaints against collection agencies debt continues its upward trajectory.

The FTC receives more complaints about debt collection industry that any other industry. In general, the number of complaints against all types of collectors (both at home andthird party) has increased. The FTC received 140,036 complaints in 2010, up from the 119,609 received in 2009. Moreover, claims that represented 27 percent of all complaints received, compared with 22.8 percent in 2009.

However, complaints against the house of debt (those who are employed by an original creditor) pale in comparison to debt collectors against third parties (those who collect on behalf oforiginal creditor or collect on behalf of purchasers of the debt). The FTC received 108,997 complaints from manufacturers collectors third in 2010, up from 2009 to 88,326 complaints. Complaints about third-party collectors accounted for 21 percent of all complaints to the FTC, which include a variety of industries. These are big numbers.

The report also refers to the specific conduct prohibited by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act andData on the number of complaints each. Because some consumers are victims of more than one type of illegal behavior, the FTC may report alleged multiple violations for each claim. The number of complaints in 2010 (and 2009) has repeatedly called consumers on an ongoing basis. A total 49.7 percent of the complaints were about harassment debt collector on the phone. The rest of harassment were on the use of offensive or profane language, calling before08:00 or after 09:00, or collectors threaten to use violence. This last category of complaints is very worrying that the number of reports of allegations of violence threat of 2,519 spent in 2009 to 4,182 in 2010.

Another FDCPA violation category has to do with debt collectors trying to collect more money owed. The FTC reports that 30.4 percent of complaints related to collectors FDCPA "misrepresenting the amount, character or legal status a debt "and that this was the second most frequent complaint. In addition, 10,614 complaints about the grope collectors to charge interest and fees that are owed.

In addition, the FTC received 32.477 complaints that collection agencies did not send consumers a written notice stating the amount owed ​​and the creditor who was owed. Above all, the written notice must inform the consumer that he or she has 30 days to challenge the> Debt written. If the consumer is not aware of their rights to dispute a debt, close the window of opportunity, and the consumer is in an untenable position.

This is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. The FTC is required to track the number of consumer complaints against debt collection agencies and complaints using as a basis for intervention in order to make their voices heard. In doing so, you are helping to prevent other consumers to beVictims of unscrupulous debt collectors.