Attorney Collections and Harassment Help
I have a issue with this attorney that is very rude. I am very intimidated by this man and would like advice as to what I need
I have a issue with this attorney that is very rude. He called me last night and said I owed a debt and he was representing the other party. He wanted to get a debit or credit card over the phone to make payment arrangements. This is from 2003. I looked into the case number he gave me at the court house and found that the case was closed in June of 2009. I got copies from the court house and called to send them to him but he started swearing and threating he would file a contempt of court and throw me in jail. He said he would make my life hell. I am very intimidated by this man and would like advice as to what I need to do.
Well, it's unfortunate to hear that you are being harassed and also in an unprofessional manner by an attorney who is trying to collect on a resolved debt.
You have a few options, ranging from ignoring the attorney, to sending them a cease and desist letter, all the way up to seeking legal representation to sue the attorney if you think he has violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
If I were in your shoes, I would probably start by sending him a cease and desist letter and also a debt validation letter. See this informative site for help on free forms that you can complete yourself: http://www.bills.com/debt-DIY/
You can also seek counsel from a local attorney, but hopefully he will disappear, assuming that you did indeed settle the debt in question.
Also, just so you know... I answered a question similar to yours in my blog recently. Please go to the following link to read my answer to a fellow reader: http://www.bills.com/being-harrassed-by-collector/
I hope this information helps you Find. Learn & Save.
Best,
Bill
Debt statistics
If you are struggling with debt, you are not alone. According to the NY Federal Reserve total household debt as of Quarter Q4 2023 was $17.503 trillion. Student loan debt was $1.601 trillion and credit card debt was $1.129 trillion.
According to data gathered by Urban.org from a sample of credit reports, about 26% of people in the US have some kind of debt in collections. The median debt in collections is $1,739. Student loans and auto loans are common types of debt. Of people holding student debt, approximately 10% had student loans in collections. The national Auto/Retail debt delinquency rate was 4%.
Collection and delinquency rates vary by state. For example, in West Virginia, 15% have student loan debt. Of those holding student loan debt, 10% are in default. Auto/retail loan delinquency rate is 4%.
While many households can comfortably pay off their debt, it is clear that many people are struggling with debt. Make sure that you analyze your situation and find the best debt payoff solutions to match your situation.
