Housing Tips
Debt Collection Harassment is Illegal
Being in debt can be very stressful, but the Pennsylvania Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects you from unfair harassment. Under this Act, debt collectors can be sued if they engage in any of the following harassing behavior:
- Repetitious harassing phone calls
- Obscene or profane language
- Threats of violence of harm
- Publication of debtor’s name and/or personal information
- Calling without announcing identity
Debt collectors can also be sued for providing misleading information such as:
- Incorrect amount of money owed
- Claiming to be an attorney
- Threats of arrest
- Threats that cannot be upheld by the law
- Threats that the collector does not intend to pursue
Keep good records of your communications with debt collectors.
Save letters and write down dates, times, and brief notes about each discussion. This information will help your case in court.
Learn how to submit a Debt Collection complaint and learn more about debt collection laws on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau website at http://www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/336/what-is-harassment-by-a-debt-collector.html