Getting a call from a debt collector can be a frustrating and stressful experience, and the last thing you want to deal with during what is supposed to be the “Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” Even though it is legal for debt collectors to try and recoup a debt you owe, there are restrictions.
For example, debt collectors cannot contact you at times they know are inconvenient (i.e. – before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.) They cannot contact you at your job if you ask them to stop, they cannot repeatedly contact you throughout the day, they cannot threaten you or lie to you about the debt, and they cannot discuss your debt with any third party.
All of these are in violation of The Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA).
But what about during holidays? Although the FDCPA does not specifically state which days of the week debt collectors can and cannot call you and does not designate a holiday exemption, it does state that collectors cannot communicate with you during times which are known to be inconvenient.
So you could essentially argue that a call on Christmas Eve is, in fact, a violation of the FDCPA. This would likely fall under, “calling at times known to be inconvenient.”
If you believe a debt collector is violating the law by calling you outside the allowed times or by calling more frequently than they should, after you have asked them to stop calling or have sent a cease and desist letter, you can report them to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and your state Attorney General.
At the law firm of Kingcade & Garcia we want you to have a safe and Happy Holiday this year! If you have any questions on this topic or are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.
Related Resources:
http://blog.credit.com/2016/12/can-a-debt-collector-call-me-during-the-holidays-163536/
https://www.thebalance.com/when-can-debt-collectors-call-960573