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Difference between revisions of "A Debt Collector Is Harassing Me"
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A Debt Collector Is Harassing Me (view source)
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{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}Your creditors (people you owe money to) are allowed to take reasonable steps to collect the debt, including hiring a collection agent. However, a collection agent can’t threaten or harass you, nor a member of your household, a neighbour or friend, or your employer. Collectors are specifically prohibited from: | {{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}Your creditors (people you owe money to) are allowed to take reasonable steps to collect the debt, including hiring a collection agent. However, a collection agent can’t threaten or harass you, nor a member of your household, a neighbour or friend, or your employer. Collectors are specifically prohibited from: | ||
* calling too often or at inappropriate times | * calling too often or at inappropriate times, | ||
* using threatening, profane, intimidating or coercive language | * using threatening, profane, intimidating or coercive language, or | ||
* publishing or threatening to publish your name and failure to pay. | * publishing or threatening to publish your name and failure to pay. | ||
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== What happens next == | == What happens next == | ||
If you contact Consumer Protection BC, the Complaints Manager will contact the collector if he or she feels the practice is | If you contact Consumer Protection BC, the Complaints Manager will contact the collector if he or she feels the practice is unreasonable and ask the collector to stop the practice. Consumer Protection BC can also require the collector to follow a '''compliance order''' to stop future unreasonable practices. | ||
unreasonable and ask the collector to stop the practice. Consumer Protection BC can also require the collector to | |||
follow a '''compliance order''' to stop future unreasonable practices. | |||
If you suffer loss or damages because of the unreasonable practices of a collector, you can sue them in | If you suffer loss or damages because of the unreasonable practices of a collector, you can sue them in | ||
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* [[Consumer Protection BC]]. | * [[Consumer Protection BC]]. | ||
* [[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], [[Salvation Army Pro Bono Lawyer Consultation Program]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers]]. | * [[Access Pro Bono]], [[Lawyer Referral Service]], [[Salvation Army Pro Bono Lawyer Consultation Program]], and [[Private Bar Lawyers]]. | ||
* The publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1040 | * The publication [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1040 ''Consumer Law and Credit/Debt Law'']. | ||
* The | * The ''Law Students' Legal Advice Program Manual'' chapter "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1727 Creditors' Remedies and Debtors' Assistance]", which includes useful information on "Harassment by Debt Collectors". | ||
Before meeting with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form [[Preparing for Your Interview]] included in this Guide. Make sure you bring copies of all documents relating to your case. | Before meeting with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form [[Preparing for Your Interview]] included in this Guide. Make sure you bring copies of all documents relating to your case. | ||
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{{Tipsbox | {{Tipsbox | ||
| width = 70% | | width = 70% | ||
| tips = Debt collectors sometimes threaten to take your house, car or other property. They can only do so with a court order or if the property was used to | | tips = Debt collectors sometimes threaten to take your house, car or other property. They can only do so with a court order or if the property was used to "secure" the debt. If you are threatened in this way, get a copy of the loan agreement and the name of the collection agent, and contact [[Consumer Protection BC]] (see the [[Resource List]] for contact information). | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{Template:Legal Help Guide Disclaimer}} | {{Template:Legal Help Guide Disclaimer}} | ||
{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}} | {{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=problems}} | ||
