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

What if I Am Owed Money in West Columbia, Texas?

If someone owes you money and won't pay, you have several legal options to seek repayment of your debt. However, you need to be careful in this area. There are many rules and regulations detailing what debt collectors can and cannot do. Violating these laws, even inadvertently, can harm your chances at collecting, and maybe even expose you to civil 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.

Creditors may, however, send written demands for timely payment, along with an invoice that precisely lays out exactly what the debtor owes. If the debt is significant, it might be worth it to hire a West Columbia, Texas collection agency, which usually gets paid through a percentage of the debt collected. You should make sure, however, that the agency is reputable, and hasn't been cited for violations of consumer protection laws.

What if Someone Is Trying to Collect Money Against Me in West Columbia, Texas?

If you actually owe the money that is being sought, and can afford to pay it, you should do so. If the collection caller is behaving in an 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 West Columbia, Texas. 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 allowed 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 retained the services of a West Columbia, Texas attorney, they may 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 West Columbia, Texas Collections Attorney Help?

If you believe that a creditor is violating the law in its effort to collect from you, you should get in touch with a West Columbia, Texas attorney, since you might actually have a claim for damages against the creditor.

Also, if you are considering bankruptcy as an option, a seasoned Texas attorney can help guide you through the process.