Broadly, the term "Collections" refers to the practice of creditors trying to force debtors to pay what they owe. There are numerous laws and regulations in Wichita Falls, Texas that govern collection agencies, and strictly limit the types of tactics they are permitted to engage in.
What if I Am Owed Money in Wichita Falls, 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 substantial, it might be worth it to hire a Wichita Falls, Texas collection agency, which usually gets paid through a percentage of the debt collected. You should make sure, however, that the agency is trustworthy, and hasn't been cited for violations of consumer protection laws.
What if Someone Is Trying to Collect Money Against Me in Wichita Falls, Texas?
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 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.
Your best option in Wichita Falls, Texas might be to contact the creditor directly, and try to work out some type of new repayment plan. The earlier you do this, the more receptive to your ideas the creditor is likely to be. If this isn't successful, you can demand that the collectors stop contacting you by phone, and they will typically be obliged to do so. Of course, this doesn't make the debt go away, and you should only take this route if you are ready to defend against a lawsuit from your creditors, since demanding that they stop contacting you usually leaves them with no other option but to sue.
If you have hired a Wichita Falls, Texas lawyer to help, he or she may advise that you file for bankruptcy. If you do apply for bankruptcy, creditors are immediately required to suspend all collection activities. Of course, bankruptcy is a major decision, and should not be made without the advice of an attorney.
How Can a Wichita Falls, 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 Wichita Falls, Texas attorney, since you might truly have a claim for damages against the creditor.
Also, if you're considering applying for bankruptcy, a seasoned attorney in Texas can tell you if this is a good option, and, if it is, help you through the process.