Debt Collection Agencies are Prohibited From Using Harassing or Abusive Practices

by Peter Orville, Binghamton Bankruptcy Lawyer

The New York State Attorney General’s office has issued warnings that certain tactics will not be tolerated by debt collectors in New York State.  These include:

Harassing or Abusive Tactics – threatening the use of violence; continuously calling you with intent to annoy or harass; using obscene language; or not disclosing their identity when they call.

False or misleading representations –   Saying they are from the government; telling you they will arrest you or put you in jail; lying about the amount you owe; using the name of a false business; saying that they will garnish wages or seize property when they cannot; or falsely claiming they are an attorney, or that an attorney is involved.

Other prohibited action – Collecting a greater amount than you owe; sending you a postcard; depositing a post-dated check before the date you wrote on the check; or claiming that they will seize your property when they have no actual right to do so.   

If you are the victim of any of these illegal tactics by debt collectors, contact the Attorney General’s Office or contact a consumer rights attorney.

 

Tagged as: Add new tag, Seize property; threaten violence; creditor harassment;

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