When dealing with overwhelming amounts of debt, many individuals in Cincinnati and Dayton may begin to wonder if filing for bankruptcy is the only way to obtain protection from creditors. However, while this might be a viable option, it isn’t necessarily the only way to protect against creditor harassment. Those who have yet to decide if bankruptcy is the best available option could benefit from gaining a better understanding of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
This act provides debtors with a variety of protections to shield them against harassment. For instance, creditors can only reach out to a person between certain hours of the day, provided the debtor hasn’t agreed to extend this time period. Any attempts to contact a debtor outside of the allowed timeframes is illegal and may thus be considered creditor harassment. Creditors must also refrain from contacting a person at work if they are aware that his or her place of employment prohibits such communication.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act also provides debtors with the right to provide creditors with a written request to cease communication. However, while creditors must stop contacting a person once this request is received, there are certain exceptions to this rule. This act also prohibits collectors from contacting a debtor’s family or friends to talk to them about the debt without consent.
Knowledge of these rights may help a person put a stop to creditor harassment in certain situations. However, those who continue to struggle with debt may still wish to seek advice on how best to handle their present financial woes. By consulting with an experienced bankruptcy attorney, a person in Ohio could obtain much-needed advice on all the available options for protection from creditors, as well as assistance in forming a strategy to pursue relief from debts and working toward a healthier financial future.
