Stop Creditors from Harassing Relatives with Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act can be used to stop or punish creditors and debt collectors from harassing relatives and friends. Financial struggles often make it impossible to keep up with credit cards and other bills. While bankruptcy often would help address the debt, sometimes individuals are not aware of this option or may feel they do not have enough debt to warrant bankruptcy. Typically harassing letters and telephone calls from debt collectors will start. What happens when creditors start calling and harassing your relatives about the debt with the hope that you will pay to stop those calls to your relatives. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) can be used to limit those contacts as well as punish the creditors for violations. Under the Act the creditor can contact and speak to the relative ONE time. They cannot leave a message. They can only ask for contact information like address or home phone number. They cannot ask for payment from the relative. If the contact goes beyond what is allowed, the creditor is in violation of the FDCPA.