The Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the New York City City Customer Security Law Regulation 10 and New York City State Statute, General Company Law, Article 29-H, (the "State Statute") all forbid threatening, intimidating and bugging collection procedures. The State Statute prohibits a collection representative from (a) threatening to communicate with your company prior to that agent obtaining a judgement versus you, (b) communicating with your household or home at such frequency or at such unusual hours as can fairly be expected to be violent or harassing, or (c) mimicing any legal or judicial procedure or appearing to be authorized, provided or authorized by an attorney or the federal government to gather a debt.
Also, if the collector sends you a letter demanding you pay without the reuired notification under the federal law regarding your privacy, your rights to contest the debt an dgiving you the appropriate One Month to respond, then the debt collector is instantly liable to you for any damages plus three times the quantity of your damages. Each infraction of the State Statute is a separate misdemeanor offense. You can submit charges with the State Attorney General or your County District Attorney as well as request a limiting action against the collection company to stop it from continuing abuse and harassment.
If you feel abused or pestered by a collection agency, call that agency and get the name and address of the owner/president. Send your composed complaint, by licensed mail, return invoice, to the owner/president and include in your letter that you "think that agency is violating the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and other state and regional laws and that you will (a) file grievances with the Attorney General or the District Attorney's office (subjecting the collection business to misdemeanor charges) and (b) request a limiting action against the debt collection agency." If the collection business continues to abuse and harrass you, then go on and submit your charges and complaints.
This article is definitely not all inclusive and is intended 702-780-0429 only as a quick explanation of the legal problem presented. If you have any questions with regard to any legal matters, not all cases are alike and it is highly suggested that you seek advice from an attorney.
