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Debt Collection
If You Owe a Debt
A consumer having difficulty paying a debt can contact the creditor before the bill goes to a collector. Sometimes the creditor will refinance or otherwise modify the agreement rather than pay a debt collector. If not, the debtor has certain rights.
Don't Pay Extra
It is unlawful for a debt collector to attempt to collect more than the amount originally agreed upon – whether the agreement was in writing or not. However, the debt may be increased by the addition of attorney's fees, investigation fees, service fees, collection fees, or other charges if a written contract authorizes the additional charges.
If You Disagree
If you dispute an item in the file a debt collector has on you, you should give the debt collector written notice. The debt collector must provide you with the necessary forms for the written notice, and must help you fill out the forms if you request it. The debt collector has 30 days after receiving your written request to determine whether or not the disputed item is correct. If it is incorrect, it must be corrected. The debt collector must notify anyone who has already received a report containing the incorrect item. If, at the end of 30 days, the debt collector has not been able to determine whether the item is correct or not, he or she must make the change you requested and notify anyone who received a report containing the incorrect item. If it is later determined that the item was correct after all, you must be notified and collection efforts may be continued.
Harassment is Prohibited
State law prohibits the use of harassment and abusive collection tactics. It is illegal for any debt collector to:
threaten violence or other criminal acts;
use profane or obscene language;
falsely accuse the consumer of fraud or other crimes;
threaten arrest of the consumer, or repossession or other seizure of property without proper court proceedings;
use the telephone to harass debtors by calling anonymously or making repeated or continuous calls;
make collect telephone calls without disclosing the true name of the caller before the charges are accepted.
Fraud and Deception are Illegal
The use of fraudulent or deceptive practices is also prohibited, including:
using a false name or identification;
misrepresenting the amount of the debt or its judicial status;
sending documents to a debtor that falsely appear to be from a court or other official agency;
failing to identify who holds the debt;
misrepresenting the nature of the services rendered by the collection agency or the collector;
falsely representing that the collector has information or something of value in order to discover information about the consumer.
Your Home and Wages are Protected
Some collectors will threaten to foreclose on homesteads or to garnish wages. In Texas, a homestead cannot be taken to pay a debt except for debts taken for the purchase of the home, for home improvements, for home equity loans or to pay certain taxes. Wages may be garnished to pay court-ordered child support, back taxes, and defaulted student loans.
Violators Can be Penalized
Violators of the Texas Debt Collection Act are subject to criminal and civil penalties. Consumers who think they have been harassed or deceived may 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.
Federal Law Regulates Collection Agencies
Texas statutes cover actions by anyone trying to collect a consumer debt. The federal law—the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act—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;
calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. unless the collector knows such times are more convenient for the debtor;
"unfair or unconscionable means to collect or attempt to collect a debt;"
any conduct to harass, oppress, or abuse.
If you are being subjected to harassing, abusive, or fraudulent debt collection tactics by professional debt collectors, and you want to stop further contact with you, notify the collector in writing. Keep a copy of your letter and send the original to the debt collector by certified mail.
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Revised: November 03 2003
Texas AG Advice
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- Posts: 1974
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- General Discussions, Registration and Debt Collection-Related News Stories
- ↳ General Discussion
- ↳ News Stories, Articles and Outlines Regarding the FDCPA, Collection Abuses and Debt Collection Issues
- ↳ Social Security and VA [Veterans Administration] Benefits: Can They Be Garnished?
- ↳ Bad Faith Actions: Can Collector Sue You For Fees/Costs?
- ↳ Attorneys: Are They Debt Collectors?
- ↳ Collectors Suing Consumers in the Wrong Venue
- ↳ Least Sophisticated Consumer: What Is It and When Does It Apply?
- ↳ Strict Liability Under the FDCPA
- ↳ Time-Barred Debts: Can These Be Collected On?
- ↳ Threats to Take Action Which Cannot Be Legally Done
- ↳ Harassing, Oppressing or Abusing the Debtor: 15 USC 1692d
- ↳ Unauthorized Practice of Law: Debt Collectors Pretending to be Lawyers or Implying That They Act Like Lawyers
- ↳ Junk Debt Buyers: Who Are They and What Do They Do?
- ↳ Violations of the Automatic Stay and Discharge Order[s] By Debt Collection Acts or Omissions
- ↳ Bad Checks: Collection of Dishonored Checks
- ↳ Demand For Immediate Payment: Is It an FDCPA Violation?
- ↳ Debtor Confusion by Vague or Deceptive Communication
- ↳ Calling Debtors at Work? Calling Friends and Family? Is That Permissible?
- ↳ Mini-Miranda Warning/Notice Mandated By the FDCPA
- ↳ Unjust Enrichment: Louisiana
- ↳ Arrest You? Can a Debt Collector Threaten You With Arrest, Prosecution, etc.?
- ↳ Quotes: On Debt Collection and Its Abuses
- ↳ NARCA: What Is It and What Do They Have to Say?
- ↳ Continuing Legal Education Outlines
- ↳ False Representation That Communication is From an Attorney
- ↳ Other False or Misleading Misrepresentations
- ↳ Unfair Practices By Collectors
- ↳ Collector's Communications With the Debtor and Others
- ↳ Location Information: When and How Can the Collector Contact Debtor or Others to Acquire or Confirm Location Information?
- ↳ Deceptive Forms and Letters: Collector's Use Violates FDCPA
- ↳ Class Actions Under the FDCPA
- ↳ Statute of Limitations [Also Called Prescription Period]: How Long Do Creditors/Collectors Have to Sue You on an Alleged Debt?
- ↳ Excessive Phone Calls, Use of Autodialers and Scripted Messages
- ↳ Pleading Ground Rules: What is Required in Federal Court?
- ↳ Threats to Turn In a 1099-C to the IRS
- ↳ Re-Aging: Debt Collector's Efforts to Revive Obsolete Reportings
- ↳ Can Debt Collectors Curse You or Engage in Name-Calling?
- ↳ FTC Holder Rule: Assignee/Holder of Consumer Credit Contract is Subject to All Claims and Defenses Consumer Has Against Original Seller/Retailer: 16 C
- ↳ Credit Reporting of Unliquidated Claims, Speculative Claims and Unenforceable Claims
- ↳ Debt Collector Misrepresenting Affiliation: 15 U.S.C. 1692e[9]
- ↳ Arbitration, Forum Selection, Choice of Law, Choice of Venue and Other Adhesionary Clauses
- ↳ Additional Collection Fees, Interest, Surcharges and Other Assessments
- ↳ Potential Exposure For Sanctions Due to Filing Bad Faith FDCPA Cases: 15 U.S.C. 1692k[a][3], 28 U.S.C. 1927, and Fed.R.Civ.Proc. 11
- ↳ Collection of Parking Tickets, Traffic Citation Charges, Court Costs and Other Governmentally-Imposed Debts
- The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: Statute and Definitions
- ↳ FDCPA, 15 USC 1692, et. seq.
- ↳ FDCPA: Purposes and Policies
- ↳ Communication: Specifically Defined Under the FDCPA
- ↳ Consumer : Who is a "Consumer"?
- ↳ Creditor : Who is a Creditor Under the FDCPA?
- ↳ Debt: What Constitutes a "Debt" as Defined by the FDCPA? 15 U.S.C. 1692a[5]
- ↳ Debt Collector: Who is a Debt Collector?
- Cease and Desist Letters, Dispute Letters, and Validation Letters
- ↳ Validation Notice Under the FDCPA
- ↳ Dispute Letters to Collectors
- ↳ Cease and Desist: Calling Off the Debt Collection Dogs: How Do You Do It?
- ↳ Envelopes Marked Up
- Types of Damages, Remedies, and Awards Under the FDCPA and Related State Law Claims
- ↳ Jury and Bench Trial Verdicts and Awards
- ↳ Attorneys' Fees, Costs and Other Non-Damage Awards
- ↳ Injunctive Relief: Can I Get It Under the FDCPA?
- ↳ Declaratory Judgment Relief: Can I Get It Under the FDCPA?
- ↳ Damages Available Under the FDCPA
- Jurisdiction, Venue, Removal to Federal Court, Remand to State Court, and Other Jurisdiction Issues
- ↳ Personal Jurisdiction in FDCPA Cases
- ↳ Jurisdiction and Venue: Where Can You Bring Your FDCPA Lawsuit?
- ↳ Removal to Federal Court and Remand to State Court: Important Considerations When Suing or Being Sued: Do You Want to be in Federal Court or State Cou
- Respondeat Superior, Vicarious Liability, and Whether Others Are Liable
- ↳ Vicarious Liability/Respondeat Superior For Violations of the FDCPA
- FDCPA Preemption, Immunity, Bona Fide Error Defense, and Qualified Immunity
- ↳ FDCPA: Preemption of State Laws
- ↳ Bona Fide Error Defense: The Loophole
- Do You Have a Right to Bring Claims and How Long Do You Have?
- ↳ Standing: An Important Question
- ↳ Statute of Limitations: How Long Do You Have to Sue?
- FDCPA Litigation Strategies and Procedural Issues and Law
- ↳ Settlements, Releases, Confidentiality and Other Things You Need to Kow and Consider If You Settle Pre-Trial
- ↳ Offers of Judgment In FDCPA Litigation
- State Debt Collection Statutes, Cases and Laws
- ↳ Alabama: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Alaska: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Arizona: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Arkansas: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ California: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Colorado: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Connecticut: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Delaware: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Florida: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Georgia: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Hawai'i: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Idaho: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Illinois: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Indiana: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Iowa: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Kansas: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Kentucky: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Louisiana: State Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Maine: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Maryland: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Massachusetts: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Michigan: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Minnesota: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Mississippi: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Missouri: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Montana: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Nebraska: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Nevada: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ New Hampshire: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ New Jersey: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ New Mexico: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ New York: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ North Carolina: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ North Dakota: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Ohio: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Oklahoma: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Oregon: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Pennsylvania: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Rhode Island: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ South Carolina: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ South Dakota: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Tennessee: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Texas: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Utah: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Vermont: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Viriginia Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Washington: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ West Virginia: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Wisconsin: Debt Collection Act
- ↳ Wyoming: Debt Collection Act
- Debt Collection Companies and Attorneys: AAAAAA
- ↳ Account Solutions Group
- ↳ Alegis/Sherman Acquisitions/Performance
- ↳ Allied Interstate f/k/a Coldata
- ↳ Allen, Lewis & Associates
- ↳ Alliance One
- ↳ Allstate Financial/Allstate Adjustment
- ↳ Aman Collection Service
- ↳ American Acceptance a/k/a National Acceptance
- ↳ American Coradius
- ↳ American Legal Recovery
- ↳ Ameriquest Recovery Services
- ↳ AMO Recoveries
- ↳ Ariel Financial Services
- ↳ Arrow Financial Services
- ↳ Asta Funding a/k/a Palisades Collections
- ↳ Asset Acceptance Corp.
- ↳ Atlantic Credit & Finance
- ↳ Attention, LLC
- ↳ Apex Financial A/K/A Hilco Receivables
- Debt Collection Companies and Attorneys: BBBBBB
- ↳ Barnes, Curtis a/k/a Calfin a/k/a Con-America
- ↳ Barnford, Thomas a/k/a Elder, Timothy a/k/a Con-America a/k/a CACV/CACH
- ↳ Baumann Law Firm
- ↳ Bay Area Credit Services
- ↳ Bennett & Deloney
- ↳ Boivin, Lawrence Law Firm
- ↳ Booska, Steven Law Offices
- ↳ Boyajian Law Offices
- ↳ Bronson & Migliaccio
- ↳ Buffaloe & Associates
- ↳ Burgess, Douglas Law Offices
- ↳ Burak, Donald Law offices
- ↳ Bureaus Inc.
- ↳ Burke, Edward T. & Associates
- ↳ BOSS: Business Office Systems and Solutions
- Debt Collection Companies and Attorneys: CCCCCC
- ↳ California Financial Credit Association
- ↳ Cambece, James
- ↳ Capital Corporation AKA Capital Collections
- ↳ Capital Management Services
- ↳ Capital One Bank and its Sister Entities [including Westmoreland Agency]
- ↳ Cavalry Portfolio Services
- ↳ Client Services, Inc.
- ↳ Cohen & Slamowitz a/k/a Gemini Recoveries
- ↳ Collect America a/k/a CACV a/k/a CACH
- ↳ CMKS Holdings, LLC a/k/a Stouwie & Mayo, PLLC
- ↳ Coldata Collection Agency
- ↳ Collect Corp.
- ↳ Collectech Systems
- ↳ Collins Law Office
- ↳ Colonial Credit Corp.
- ↳ Colorado Capital Investments
- ↳ Commonwealth Financial Systems
- ↳ Consumer Recovery Associates
- ↳ Continental Credit
- ↳ Collecto, Inc., d/b/a Collection Company of America
- ↳ Continental Fairways
- ↳ Convergys
- ↳ CPS Investigations
- ↳ Credit Collection Service
- ↳ Credit One, LLC
- ↳ Credit Store [The Credit Store]
- ↳ Credit Systems International
- ↳ Creditors Financial Group
- ↳ Creditors Interchange Receivable Management, LLC
- ↳ Capital Recovery Service [CRS]
- ↳ C. Water Recovery
- ↳ Credit Bureau of the South
- ↳ Credit Collections, Inc.
- ↳ Credigy Receivables
- ↳ Cadle Co., Inc.
- Debt Collection Companies and Attorneys: DDDDDD
- ↳ D.C. Credit Services a/k/a David Cohen
- ↳ De Lage Landen Financial Services
- ↳ Daniels & Norelli, P.C. a/k/a Con America
- ↳ DeFede, John A. Esq. [John Defede, Esq.]
- ↳ DeJana, Richard Esq. [Richard DeJana, Esq.
- ↳ Delta Group aka Joseph, Ortiz & Epstein, LLC
- ↳ Dendy, Michael D. Esq.
- ↳ DMG Consulting
- Debt Collection Companies and Attorneys: EEEEEE
- ↳ Ebbets Partners
- ↳ eCast Settlement
- ↳ Elder, Timothy L. / Barnford, Thomas K.
- ↳ Elite Recovery Services, Inc.
- ↳ Ellis Crosby and Associates
- ↳ Encore Receivable Management
- ↳ Endeavor Financial Partners, LLC
- ↳ ER Solutions
- ↳ Eskanos & Adler, PC
- ↳ Estate Recoveries
- ↳ Evans Law Offices
- ↳ ED Fund
- Debt Collection Companies and Attorneys: FFFFFF
- ↳ Financial Credit Services
- ↳ FBCS Federal Bond & Collection Service
- ↳ Federal Credit Corp.
- ↳ Federal Credit Recovery/FCR Offices
- ↳ First Revenue Assurance
- ↳ French, WC (Bill), Law Offices of
- ↳ First Nationwide Resource Group
- ↳ Federal Adjustment Bureau
- Debt Collection Companies and Attorneys: GGGGGG
- ↳ Go-More Financial, Inc.
- ↳ GC Services
- ↳ Gemini Recoveries, Inc.
- ↳ Giove Law Office, P.C.
- ↳ Global Acceptance Credit Company (GACC)
- ↳ Global Asset Investigation Services, LLC
- ↳ General Revenue Corp.
- ↳ Goggins & Lavintman, PA
- ↳ Gulf State Credit
- ↳ Great Seneca Financial Corp.
- ↳ Greenberg, Grant & Richards, Inc.
- Debt Collection Companies and Attorneys: HHHHHH
- ↳ Hanna, Frederick J. & Assoc.
- ↳ Harker, John W. [CACV]
- ↳ Harrison Ross Byck, Esq.
- ↳ Harry Cohn and Scott M. Miller
- ↳ Hosto and Buchan
- ↳ Household Recovery Services Corp.
- ↳ Hudson & Keyse, LLC
- ↳ Hull & Associates, P.C.
- Debt Collection Companies and Attorneys: IIIIII
- ↳ Integrity Resolution Group, LLC
- ↳ International Portfolio Management
- Debt Collection Companies and Attorneys: JJJJJJ
- ↳ Javitch, Block & Rathbone L.L.P.
- ↳ Joseph, Ortiz & Epstein, LLC a/k/a Delta Group
- Debt Collection Companies and Attorneys: KKKKKK
- ↳ Kay, Mitchell N., P.C. [Law Offices]
- ↳ Kravitz, Schnitzer, Sloane, Johnson & Eberhardy, CHTD
- Debt Collection Companies and Attorneys: LLLLLL
- ↳ Lenahan Law Offices
- ↳ Lang, Richert & Patch
- ↳ LDG Financial Services II, LLC
- ↳ Leasecomm Corporation
- ↳ Legal Recovery Services, Inc.
- ↳ LHR, Inc.
- ↳ Love, Beal & Nixon, PC
- ↳ Lowery, Scott P., P.C. a/k/a CACH, LLC
- ↳ LTD Financial Services, L.P.
- ↳ LVNV Funding, LLC
- Debt Collection Companies and Attorneys: MMMMMM
- ↳ Magnus Services, Inc.
- ↳ Mann-Bracken, LLC
- ↳ Marauder Corporation
- ↳ McKelvey Law Office
- ↳ Meadows Law Office - Sheree Meadows
- ↳ Mel S. Harris & Associates
- ↳ Merchant's Credit Guide Co.
- ↳ Messerli & Kramer
- ↳ Midland Credit Management, Inc.
- ↳ Mims, Jerry M., Lawyer
- ↳ Moore, Gerald E. & Associates
- ↳ MRS Associates, Inc.
- ↳ Myers & Porter, Attorneys
- Debt Collection Companies and Attorneys: NNNNNN
- ↳ NCO Financial
- ↳ National Action Financial Services, Inc.
- ↳ National Acceptance
- ↳ National Asset Management
- ↳ National Asset Services Co.
- ↳ National Attorney's Network
- ↳ National Credit Adjusters
- ↳ National Enterprise Systems
- ↳ National Financial Systems
- ↳ National Revenue Corporation
- ↳ Nationwide Capital Recovery
- ↳ Nationwide Credit, Inc.
- ↳ Neuheisel Law Firm, PC
- ↳ New Horizon Credit, Inc.
- ↳ New Vision Financial
- ↳ North Shore Agency
- ↳ North Star Capital Acquisitions, LLC
- ↳ Northeast Credit & Collections
- Debt Collection Companies and Attorneys: OOOOOO
- ↳ Omnia Credit Services
- ↳ O'Neill Management, Inc. Investigators
- ↳ Ozark Capital Corporation
- ↳ OSI/Outsourcing Solutions
- Debt Collection Companies and Attorneys: PPPPPP
- ↳ Performance Capital Management
- ↳ Pacific Coast Collections (Alliance One)
- ↳ Palisades Collections, LLC
- ↳ Penn Credit Corporation
- ↳ Phillips & Burns, LLC
- ↳ Phillips & Cohen Associates, Ltd.
- ↳ Pinnacle Asset & Capital Management Grp, LLC
- ↳ Plaza Associates
- ↳ Portfolio Exchange
- ↳ Portfolio Management of Amherst, LLC.
- ↳ Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC
- ↳ Preferred Platinum Plan
- ↳ Prime Asset Recovery, Inc. / www.giovelawofficeexposed.com
- ↳ Pro Collect, Inc.
- Debt Collection Companies and Attorneys: QQQQQQ
- ↳ Quadrant Group LLC - The Recycle Shop
- Debt Collection Companies and Attorneys: RRRRRR
- ↳ Ranieri, Christopher, Law Office of
- ↳ RCS Centre Corp.
- ↳ Redline Recovery Services, LLC
- ↳ Regent & Associates, P.C.
- ↳ Resurgent Capital Services / Sherman Acquisitions
- ↳ Reynolds, Jacobson & Sloane, Attorneys
- ↳ Riddle [Jessie Riddle] & Associates
- ↳ Risk Management Alternatives (RMA)
- ↳ RJM Acquisitions, LLC
- ↳ Roach, Larry, Law Offices of
- ↳ Rosenthal & Colby, Inc.
- Debt Collection Companies and Attorneys: SSSSSS
- ↳ Sherman Acquisitions
- ↳ Sagres Company, (the)
- ↳ Scherr, Harold E. , Attorney / Con-America
- ↳ Schreiber and Associates, PC.
- ↳ Shekinah, Inc.
- ↳ Sherman Financial Group/Alegis (SDB)
- ↳ Specified Credit Association
- ↳ Stanley Weinberg & Associates
- ↳ Steinbrenner, Carl A.
- ↳ Stevens & James Debt Collectors
- ↳ Sky Recovery Services
- Debt Collection Companies and Attorneys: TTTTTT
- ↳ Tabula Rasa, Inc.
- ↳ Taylor, Jay A., PC [Jay A. Taylor, Esq.]
- ↳ Titan Recovery Group
- ↳ Transcontinental Adjustment Corp.
- ↳ Trauner Cohen & Thomas f/k/a Trauner King & Cohen
- ↳ Triadvantage Credit Services
- Debt Collection Companies and Attorneys: UUUUUU
- ↳ Unifund Group Corp. a/k/a Unifund CCR Partners, LLC
- ↳ United Creditors
- ↳ United Legal Corp.
- ↳ United Recovery System
- ↳ US Audit Control
- Debt Collection Companies and Attorneys: VVVVVV
- ↳ Van Ru Credit Corp.
- ↳ Varde
- ↳ Vasques, Luis, Attorney [Luis E. Vasques, Esq.]
- Debt Collection Companies and Attorneys: WWWWWW
- ↳ Wexler & Wexler, PA
- ↳ Wolpoff & Abramson, LLP
- ↳ Weltman, Weinberg & Reis
- ↳ Wendt Law Offices
- ↳ West Asset Management
- ↳ Westmoreland Agency [Capital One Bank]
- ↳ Winn and Sims, PC
- ↳ Wolf, Jack, PA [Jack Wolf, Esq.]
- ↳ Wolpoff & Abramson, LLP
- ↳ Wolter, Warren H, Attorney [Warren H. Wolter, Esq.]
- ↳ Worldwide Asset Purchasing, LLC
- ↳ Wright, Makel Ann, Esq. [Makel Ann Wright, Esq.]
- Debt Collection Companies and Attorneys: ZZZZZZ
- ↳ Zenith Acquisitions Corporation
- ↳ Zwicker & Associates, PC