What Is Debt Collection in Fairhope, Alabama?
"Collections" is the process by which creditors try to get nonpaying debtors to pay the money they owe. There are a huge number of laws in Fairhope, Alabama governing the tactics that collection agencies can and cannot do.
What if I Am Owed Money in Fairhope, Alabama?
If you are owed money and the debtor refuses to pay, you have some options at your disposal. However, you must tread lightly when it comes to collecting your debts. Creditors and collectors are governed by specific consumer protection laws. Violating these laws can hurt your chances of recovering what you are owed, and even subject you to civil or criminal penalties.
Several practices that collectors cannot engage in include the use of abusive language, contacting third parties about the debt, and threatened or actual violence.
One thing you are allowed to do is send a written demand for immediate payment. The demand should lay out the precise amount you believe is owed, so the debtor cannot plausibly claim ignorance of that fact. If a lot of money is involved, it might be wise to hire a Fairhope, Alabama collections agency. If you go this route, it is necessary to make sure that you hire an agency that is trustworthy, and follows the relevant law to the letter.
What if Someone Is Trying to Collect Money Against Me in Fairhope, Alabama?
If you truly owe the money that is being sought, and can afford to pay it, you should do so. If the collection caller is behaving in a amicable manner, you should try to do the same. In any case, the worst thing you can do is ignore the issue hoping that it will go away. It won't.
Fortunately, you have some options in Fairhope, Alabama. First of all, you should attempt to contact the creditor directly, and see if something can be worked out. If this doesn't work, you can demand that the collection agency stop contacting you by phone. When this happens, they are not permitted to contact you further. This, of course, doesn't make the debt go away, but if the calls are becoming unbearable, it might buy you a little bit of time. Usually, when this happens, the creditor gives up on extra-judicial collections, and files a lawsuit against the debtor.
If you have hired a lawyer in Fairhope, Alabama, they might advise that you apply for bankruptcy. Of course, whether or not this is a good idea depends strongly on the facts of your specific case, so you should not do so unless an attorney has reviewed the facts and determined that bankruptcy is a possible solution.
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How Can a Fairhope, Alabama Collections Attorney Help?
If you think that the collection agency is violating the law in its effort to collect, you should probably call a Fairhope, Alabama attorney, since such actions on the part of the creditor may actually give you a claim for damages against it.
Also, if you are considering bankruptcy as an option, a seasoned Alabama attorney can help guide you through the process.
