West Virginia Unfair Practices Lawyer
You Have A Legal Right to Sue Harassing Debt Collectors
Debt collectors are required to treat you with truth, fairness, dignity, and respect. Debt collectors who cross the line and abuse you while collecting a consumer debt can be sued in federal court and West Virginia state court for damages under two laws, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1692 et seq. ("FDCPA") and the West Virginia Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, ("WV FDCPA") W.Va. Code § 47-16-2.
Debt Collectors Are Banned From Doing Many Things Such As
- Lying, threatening, or harassing you in any way
- Threatening to sue you, garnish your pay, file liens, or arrest you for not paying a bill
- Telephoning your family members, friends, neighbors or employers to collect a debt
- Leaving abusive telephone and voice mail messages
- Yelling, insulting or swearing at you
- Telephoning your employer after being told not to call you there
If you or a loved one have been subjected to any of these abusive collection practices, you could be entitled to compensation. Our firm can help any consumer who is currently in collections or has been harassed by a bill collector. Call us today at (877) 341-2595 to speak with a lawyer and get a free telephone consultation on your case.
What You Can Do If You Are Being Abused By a Collector
If a debt collector contacts you, you have a legal right to dispute the debt in writing or verbally. To preserve some of your rights under the FDCPA, you must send a written dispute letter within 30 days of your receipt of the first "validation notice" from the bill collector. Even if you legally owe the debt, and even if you can't pay, you still have rights under these laws. Many of our clients owe the debt being collected but due to financial hardships or disputes over the goods or services provided, they can't or won't pay the debt. To keep your rights under these laws, it is critical that you to keep good records of all contacts by debt collectors, including letters and voice mail messages.
Things You Can Do To Help Your Case
- Keep copies of all letters and notices from the debt collector
- Keep all telephone messages and voice mails -this is critical
- Take good notes of your conversations with bill collectors (i.e., dates, times, names, etc.)
- Contact a consumer rights attorney to get help in recovering damages.
No Fee Is Collected Unless We Recover Damages For You
The federal FDCPA says that any debt collector who violates your rights may be required to pay you up to $1,000 in statutory damages, actual damages, and attorney's fees and costs, if you are successful in your FDCP A case. If our firm takes your FDCP A case, you will not be required to pay any attorneys' fees unless we recover for you. However, you may be responsible for any other costs in your case.
CONTACT US
Our attorneys are here to help you obtain compensation. Please contact us today for a Free evaluation by calling James F. Humphreys & Associates, L.C. @ 1-877-341-2595.
