One of the major complaints filed against debt collectors is that they are contacting the wrong person. This is especially true for people who have common names. But for Doug Dansie, this case of mistaken identity has turned into 6 years of harassing phone calls from a student loan debt collector. Doug is not delinquent on his bills or trying to avoid collectors – they have the wrong guy.
Doug has explained repeatedly to the collector that the person they are looking for does not live at his address and never has. The collector is looking for someone who has the same last name as Doug, but Doug does not know this individual and has told the collection agency again and again. They respond by saying he’ll be taken off the list, and the calls stop for a few weeks before starting all over again.
Tired of this harassment, Doug consulted a consumer attorney, who contacted the debt collector and told them he was being represented by an attorney and to cease and desist further contact with Doug. And just like that, the calls have stopped, after 6 long years.
According to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, a debt collector must stop calling you if you send a letter stating they are not to contact you anymore, even if you owe the debt. If the collector continues to call you, you are legally entitled to take them to court and make them pay you damages for breaking the law.
The harassment of consumers is growing every year, and people need to know that they have rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. This federal consumer law prevents debt collectors from using abusive, unfair or deceptive practices. If a debt collector is found to be in violation, the law (“FDCPA”) allows you to sue the collector, stop the calls and get paid damages (up to $1,000 or actual damages) plus all of your attorney costs are covered. At Michigan Consumer Credit Lawyers, we represent you for free. We fight the debt collectors that wish to harass and intimidate consumers. The consumer walks away with a measure of justice and a check from the debt collector.
If you have been victimized by a debt collector or have items on your credit report that are incorrect, call or email Attorney Gary Nitzkin at [email protected] for a free consultation at (888) 293-2882.
