The Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the New York City Consumer Defense Law Guideline 10 and New York State Statute, General Business Law, Article 29-H, (the "State Statute") all forbid threatening, pestering and intimidating collection procedures. The State Statute prohibits a collection representative from (a) threatening to communicate with your company prior to that representative obtaining a judgement versus you, (b) interacting with your family or family at such frequency or at such unusual hours as can reasonably be anticipated to be abusive or harassing, or (c) imitating any judicial or legal process or appearing to be licensed, issued or authorized by the federal government or an attorney to gather a debt.
Also, if the collection agent sends you a letter requiring you pay without the reuired notice under the federal law concerning your confidentiality, your rights to challenge the debt an dgiving you the suitable 30 days to react, then the debt collector is automatically liable to you for any damages plus 3 times the amount of your damages. Each violation of the State Statute is a different misdemeanor offense. You can file accused of the State Attorney General or your County District Attorney as well as request a limiting action against the collection business to stop it from continuing abuse and harassment.
If you feel abused or bugged by a debt collection agency, call that agency and get the name and address of the owner/president. Send your composed complaint, by qualified mail, return receipt, to the owner/president and consist of in your letter that you "believe that agency is ZFN ASSOCIATES 702-780-0429 breaking the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and other state and local laws and that you will (a) file grievances with the Attorney general of the United States or the District Attorney's workplace (subjecting the collection company to misdemeanor charges) and (b) demand a limiting action against the debt collection agency." Go ahead and file your charges and grievances if the collection business continues to abuse and harrass you.
This article is definitely not all inclusive and is intended only as a short description of the legal issue provided. Not all cases are alike and it is strongly suggested that you seek advice from an attorney if you have any concerns with respect to any legal matters.
