By law, can bill collectors call your job and herass you?

Question

By law, can bill collectors call your job and herass you?

Answer 1

No..they can get into trouble that way.

Answer 2

Bill collectors are not supposed to call you at work, according to the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.  You will need to write them a letter, sent by certified mail with return receipt, to demand that they stop calling you at work.  A sample letter that you can use is found in the back of the book "Financial Peace Revisited" by Dave Ramsey.  You should be able to find it at your local library or for purchase on the internet.  The letter should basically contain your request that they no longer contact you at work, in accordance with the act above, and times and a phone # to contact you at home, and your home address, should they with to correspond with you by mail.

Also, let the collector know that you expect them to play nice when they do contact you.  If they are rude, manipulative, or harass you in any way, you will hang up on them.  Then when they try rudeness, anger, or anything else, hang up on them.  And don't fall for their barking tricks.  Pay your necessities first.  Pay your mortgage or rent.  Buy food.  Pay for your utilities and gas for the car.  You do everything you need to survive before you pay one penny to a credit card.  After all, it'll be a year or two before a credit card company or bill collector takes you to court, but it only takes a few months before your mortgage company forecloses on the house and you're homeless.  And whatever you do, NEVER EVER give your checking account number to a bill collector or credit card agency for an automatic draft.  

Another great book to read (and this one I would definitely buy), is "Total Money Makeover" again, by Dave Ramsey.  You can check him out on his website, http://www.daveramsey.com.  

Answer 3

If you tell them to not call you at work they are supposed to stop, that doesn't mean they will.  If it continues you should keep track of the phone calls and you may take action against the creditors under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.