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The limits debt collectors must abide by

On Behalf of | Mar 23, 2022 | Bankruptcy |

If you are several months behind on credit card, medical or types of debt payments, the balance may be sold to a Maryland debt collector. It’s likely that you will be contacted by the entity that purchases the balance, and whoever owns the debt does have the right to do so. However, there are limits as to what a debt collection firm can say or do in an effort to collect what it is owed.

Debt collectors can contact you daily about a past due balance

As a general rule, debt collection firms can contact you once per day about a specific debt balance. If a firm owns multiple debts, you may be contacted multiple times per day in an attempt to obtain those past due balances. However, you cannot be contacted before 8 a.m. and you cannot be contacted after 9 p.m. Doing so is considered to be a form of creditor harassment and could result in civil penalties being levied against the entity that is violating the law.

You can ask debt collectors to stop calling or sending letters

If you ask a debt collection firm to stop calling about a debt, the calls must cease immediately. However, it is possible that you will face a lawsuit in response to such a request. It’s also worth noting that collection firms generally cannot get in touch with you at work, school or elsewhere without your permission.

Filing for bankruptcy may be an effective way to put a stop to debt collection calls. It may also put a temporary stop to a foreclosure, repossession or creditor lawsuit. Depending on the facts of your case, you may be able to eliminate some or all of your debts without having to give up any assets.