live in different state complain about debt harassment to which attorney general's office

by Marlen Gleason 3 min read

How do I file a complaint with the Attorney General?

Consumer Protection Division Consumer hotline: (410) 528-8662 En español 410-230-1712 Attorney General's Main Switchboard, Toll-free 1-888-743-0023 FAX: 410-576-7040 If you are a Maryland consumer and have a dispute with a business, or if you live in another state and your dispute involves a transaction that occurred in Maryland, you can file a complaint with the …

What if my complaint falls within the jurisdiction of another agency?

You may owe a debt, but you still have rights. And debt collectors have to obey the law. If You Owe Money Creditors don't want to bring in a debt collection agency. But if it looks like you won't pay, they will. The creditor will sell your debt to a collection agency for less than face value, and the collection agency will then try to collect the full debt from you.

Will the Attorney General keep a record of my complaint?

You can email them to [email protected]. I understand that a copy of what I submit to the Attorney General's office will be provided to the party I am complaining against in an effort to resolve the complaint. The information contained here is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I understand that the Arkansas Attorney General's ...

What happens if you file a false complaint with OAG?

Filing a Consumer Complaint. You can file a consumer complaint with the Indiana Attorney General's Office online or by filling out a printable form. You can also request a complaint form by calling 1.800.382.5516 or 317.232.6330. For price gouging complaints please submit any photo documentation you have of price signage with your complaint.

How do I file a complaint with the attorney General Office?

You can also request a complaint form by calling 1.800. 382.5516 or 317.232. 6330....Consumer Complaint Forms:Online Consumer Complaint Form.Fillable Consumer Complaint Form.Printable Consumer Complaint Form.QUEJA DEL CONSUMIDOR.

How do I deal with a harassing debt collector?

If you believe a debt collector is harassing you, you can submit a complaint with the CFPB online or by calling (855) 411-CFPB (2372). You can also contact your state's attorney general .Jan 12, 2017

How do I file a complaint with the NYS attorney General?

ContactComplaint Form: To file a complaint, please complete the form at this link and mail it to us at:Phone: 212-416-8090.Email: [email protected] Hotline: ... NYS OAG Information and Complaint Helpline: 1-800-771-7755.NY State Police Investigation:More items...

How do I complain about my creditors?

What should I write in my complaint?Write the word 'complaint' at the top so it's very clear that you want it be dealt with as a complaint.Explain what you feel your creditor or energy supplier has done wrong.Tell them what you think they should do to put this right.More items...

What constitutes harassment from debt collectors?

The definition of debt collection harassment is to intimidate, abuse, coerce, bully or browbeat consumers into paying off debt. This happens most often over the phone, but harassment could come in the form of emails, texts, direct mail or talking to friends or neighbors about your debt.

What is the statute of limitations on debt?

How Long Does the Statute of Limitations on Debt Last? The statute of limitations on debt typically falls within three to six years, although some periods are as long as 15 years. This period can vary based on where you live and what type of debt is involved.Feb 4, 2022

Does filing a complaint with the BBB do anything?

One good option is to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB helps consumers settle disputes related to sales, contracts, customer service, warranties, billings, and refunds every year. It accepts complaints even if the company that's harmed you doesn't belong to the Better Business Bureau.Apr 15, 2020

What is Attorney General NY?

Letitia James (Working Families Party)New York / Attorney generalIncumbent. Letitia James The Attorney General of New York is the chief legal officer of the U.S. state of New York and head of the Department of Law of the state government. The office has been in existence in some form since 1626, under the Dutch colonial government of New Netherlands.

What does the attorney general do in New York?

As head of the Department of Law, the Attorney General is both the “People's Lawyer” and the State's chief legal officer. As the “People's Lawyer,” the Attorney General serves as the guardian of the legal rights of the citizens of New York, its organizations and its natural resources.

How do you stop creditors from harassing you?

Fortunately, there are legal actions you can take to stop this harassment:Write a Letter Requesting To Cease Communications. ... Document All Contact and Harassment. ... File a Complaint With the FTC. ... File a Complaint With Your State's Agency. ... Consider Suing the Debt Collection Agency for Harassment.Apr 16, 2021

Who do I complain to about debt collectors?

You should complain to the bank, building society or credit card company first, using their complaints procedure. If this does not sort out the problem, you can complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service, telling them that a debt collector or creditor has broken the terms of the Standards of Lending Practice.

What should you not say to debt collectors?

3 Things You Should NEVER Say To A Debt CollectorNever Give Them Your Personal Information. A call from a debt collection agency will include a series of questions. ... Never Admit That The Debt Is Yours. Even if the debt is yours, don't admit that to the debt collector. ... Never Provide Bank Account Information.Sep 21, 2021

What happens if you receive a notice from a debt collector?

Protecting Consumers. Debt Collectors. If you receive a notice from a debt collector, it's important to respond as soon as possible —even if you do not owe the debt—because otherwise the collector may continue trying to collect the debt, report negative information to credit reporting companies, and even sue you.

How long does it take for a debt collector to send a validation notice?

Within five days after a debt collector first contacts you, it must send you a written notice, called a "validation notice," that tells you (1) the amount it thinks you owe, (2) the name of the creditor, and (3) how to dispute the debt in writing.

Where to report a debt collector?

Reporting a Complaint. If you believe a debt collector is violating the law, you may report your complaint with the Attorney General's Office. The Office uses complaints to learn about misconduct. However, we cannot give legal advice or provide legal assistance to individuals.

Can debt collectors harass you?

Debt collectors cannot harass or abuse you. They cannot swear, threaten to illegally harm you or your property, threaten you with illegal actions, or falsely threaten you with actions they do not intend to take. They also cannot make repeated calls over a short period to annoy or harass you.

What does the law protect you from?

The law protects you from abusive, unfair, or deceptive debt collection practices. Here is information about some common debt collection issues: Disputing a Debt: What to do if a debt collector contacts you about a debt that you do not owe, that is for the wrong amount, or that is for a debt you already paid.

How long does it take to dispute a debt?

Make sure you dispute the debt in writing within 30 days of when the debt collector first contacted you. If you do so, the debt collector must stop trying to collect the debt until it can show you verification of the debt. You should dispute a debt in writing if: You do not owe the debt; You already paid the debt;

Can debt collectors make false statements?

Debt collectors cannot make false or misleading statements. For example, they cannot lie about the debt they are collecting or the fact that they are trying to collect debt, and they cannot use words or symbols that falsely make their letters to you seem like they're from an attorney, court, or government agency.

What are the laws for collecting debt?

This federal law applies only to collectors working for professional debt collection agencies and attorneys hired to collect a debt. It is similar to Texas law, but also prohibits: 1 Calls at work if the collector has reason to know the employer does not permit such calls 2 Calls before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. unless the collector knows such times are more convenient for the debtor 3 "Unfair or unconscionable means to collect or attempt to collect a debt" 4 Any conduct to harass, oppress, or abuse

What happens if you don't pay your debt?

But if it looks like you won't pay, they will. The creditor will sell your debt to a collection agency for less than face value, and the collection agency will then try to collect the full debt from you. If you owe a debt, act quickly — preferably before it's sent to a collection agency. Contact your creditor, explain your situation ...

Can you garnish wages?

Wages may be garnished only to pay debts related to court-ordered child support, back taxes, and defaulted student loans. Debt collectors cannot garnish wages for repayment of consumer debt. If a debt collector threatens to take your home or garnish your wages, you may be the victim of a debt collection scam.

What to do if you owe a debt?

If you owe a debt, act quickly — preferably before it's sent to a collection agency. Contact your creditor, explain your situation and try to create a payment plan. Usually, creditors will help you catch up.

What is abusive collection?

Using abusive collection tactics, including: threatening violence or other criminal acts. using profane or obscene language. falsely accusing the consumer of fraud or other crimes. threatening arrest of the consumer, or repossession or other seizure of property without proper court proceedings.

What to do if you think you have been harassed?

If you think you have been harassed or deceived, you can even seek injunctions and damages against debt collectors. These actions are also violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices/Consumer Protection Act, which gives the Attorney General the authority to take action in the public interest. File a Complaint.

What is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act?

This federal law applies only to collectors working for professional debt collection agencies and attorneys hired to collect a debt. It is similar to Texas law, but also prohibits: Calls at work if the collector has reason to know the employer does not permit such calls.

Disputing A Debt

  • It is important that you respond as soon as possible if a debt collector contacts you about a debt that you do not owe, that is for the wrong amount, that is for a debt you already paid, or that you want more information about. Make sure you respond in writing to dispute the debt. If you don't, the debt collector may keep trying to collect the debt from you and may even end up suing you f…
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Harassment and Call Restrictions

  • Debt collectors cannot harass or abuse you. They cannot swear, threaten to illegally harm you or your property, threaten you with illegal actions, or falsely threaten you with actions they do not intend to take. They also cannot make repeated calls over a short period to annoy or harass you. Debt collectors cannot make false or misleading statements. For example, they cannot lie abou…
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Debt Collector Contacting Your Employer Or Other People

  • Employers Debt collectors may contact your employer but only: 1. To verify your employment; 2. To get your location information; 3. To garnish your wages (that is, taking payment from your paycheck), but only after it sued you and a court entered a judgment against you; 4. If the debt is a medical debt, to find out whether you have medical insurance; or 5. You or your attorney agreed i…
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Interest and Other Charges

  • Debt collectors may collect interest, fees, charges, or other expenses to your debt only if they are expressly authorized by the agreement creating the debt or are otherwise permitted by law. If you ask, the debt collector must tell you how much it is charging you and why. To do so, send a letter to the debt collector asking for an explanation in writing. For a sample letter requesting informat…
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Credit Reporting

  • Debt collectors may report your debt to credit reporting companies, which put together credit reports that creditors use when deciding whether to give you credit. However, debt collectors cannot report false information about your debt. If you dispute a debtin writing with a debt collector, that debt collector must tell any credit reporting company that it has reported your deb…
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Old (Time-Barred) Debts

  • Debt collectors may not be able to sue you to collect on old (time-barred) debts, but they may still try to collect on those debts. In California, there is generally a four-year limit for filing a lawsuit to collect a debt based on a written agreement. However, it may be hard to figure out when the clock on that period starts to run or can be restarted (for example, a partial payment of the debt may r…
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Collectors Taking Money from Your Wages, Bank Account, Or Benefits

  • Debt collectors can only take money from your paycheck, bank account, or benefits—which is called garnishment—if they have already sued you and a court entered a judgment against you for the amount of money you owe. The law sets certain limits on how much debt collectors can garnish your wages and bank accounts. Certain federal benefits, such as social security benefit…
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Other Resources

  • For more information about debt collection and your rights, visit the following: 1. FTC's Dealing With Debt: Information about managing debt, credit repair, and different debt collection issues. 2. CFPB's Debt Collection: Common questions about debt collection. 3. FTC's Fake Debt Collectors: How to tell if a debt collector is legitimate or a fraudster. Back To Top
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Reporting A Complaint

  • If you believe a debt collector is violating the law, you may report your complaint with the Attorney General's Office. The Office uses complaints to learn about misconduct. However, we cannot give legal advice or provide legal assistance to individuals. For information on how to find an attorney, see Attorneys/Lawyers. You may also report your complaint to the FTC. The FTC enforces the fe…
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