"Collections" is the process by which creditors attempt to get nonpaying debtors to pay the money they owe. There are a large number of laws in Belleair, Florida governing the tactics that collection agencies can and cannot do.

What if I Am Owed Money in Belleair, Florida?

If you are owed money and the debtor won't pay, for whatever reason, you are entitled to seek collection by any lawful means. Of course, the means of collection that are considered "lawful" are quite limited. You should be aware of the laws that govern collections before you proceed, as breaking them can hurt your chances of collecting, and even expose you to liability.

As an example, when trying to collect, creditors may not use abusive language, contact third parties regarding the debt, or use violence or threats of violence.

You may, however, send a written demand for timely payment which lays out to the debtor precisely how much is owed. If a large amount of money is owed to you, it might be a good idea to hire a collections agency in Belleair, Florida. These agencies usually take their fee in the form of a percentage of the debt collected. You need to research agencies carefully however, and make sure the one you hire does not engage in illegal practices.

What if Someone Is Trying to Collect Money Against Me in Belleair, Florida?

If you know that you owe the money being sought of you, and have the capacity to pay it, you should do so - this is the quickest and surest way to end collections calls. Of course, this is not the case for everyone. Whatever your situation, you should always behave cordially with the collection callers, especially if they are doing the same. Whatever you do, you should not ignore the matter, because this will never make the problem go away, and will make things worse in the long run.

Thankfully, you have numerous options at your disposal in Belleair, Florida. First, you should try to contact the creditor directly, and see if some sort of solution can be worked out. If this is unsuccessful, you can tell the collectors to stop contacting you, which may work in some instances. Of course, this doesn't make the debt go away, but it might give you a little bit of breathing room. The collectors will only be allowed to contact you to let you know that they are suing you for the money owed, or that they have stopped attempting to collect the debt.

If you have retained the services of a Belleair, Florida attorney, they might advise that you declare bankruptcy, depending on your specific situation. In any case, you shouldn't consider bankruptcy before weighing other options, and discussing the matter with an attorney.

How Can a Belleair, Florida Collections Attorney Help?

If you think that a collection agency is engaging in unlawful tactics, you should call a local Belleair, Florida attorney, as you might have a claim for damages against the creditor or the collection agency.

If you are thinking about filing for bankruptcy, a good lawyer in Florida can help you with that process, too.