Broadly, the term "Collections" refers to the practice of creditors attempting to force debtors to pay what they owe. There are many laws and regulations in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania that govern collection agencies, and strictly limit the types of tactics they are allowed to engage in.

What if I Am Owed Money in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania?

If someone owes you money and refuses to pay it, you have several options at your disposal. However, when it comes to collecting their debts, creditors are governed by strict consumer protection rules. Violation of these rules while attempting to collect could hurt your chances at successfully recovering your money, and/or subject you to civil penalties.

The law prohibits creditors from engaging in any form of violence against the debtor in an attempt to collect. It also bars them from using abusive language or contacting third parties about the debt owed by the debtor.

You may, however, send a written demand for timely payment. The demand should lay out exactly how much the debtor allegedly owes. If there is a large amount of money involved, it might be worth it to hire an Ellwood City, Pennsylvania collections agency, which will probably take its fee in the form of a percentage of the debt collected. You should do some research on various collections agencies in your area, to make sure the one you hire is reputable, and carefully follows the law.

What if Someone Is Trying to Collect Money Against Me in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania?

If you actually owe the money being sought, and you are able to pay it, you should of course do so. If the collection caller is behaving cordially, you should do the same. Even if the caller doesn't behave in a cordial manner, you should resist the temptation to respond in kind, and ask to speak with a supervisor, or simply end the conversation. Whatever you do, you should never ignore the issue. This will not make the problem go away.

Luckily, you have some options in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania. First of all, you should attempt to directly contact the creditor, and see if some adjusted payment plan can be worked out. If this doesn't work, you can ask the collectors to stop contacting you by phone, and they will usually be obliged to do so. Of course, this doesn't make the debt go away, but it might give you some time to collect yourself and prepare a legal defense. Once this happens, the collection agency can only contact you to inform you that it intends to sue you for the debt owed.

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

How Can a Ellwood City, Pennsylvania Collections Attorney Help?

If you believe that the collections agency is engaging in illegal or abusive activity, you should consult with a local attorney in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, as you might actually have a claim for damages against the collection agency.

If you are thinking about bankruptcy, a good Pennsylvania bankrutpcy attorney can help guide you through the process.