Individuals with unmanageable credit card debt and other outstanding balances may unwittingly become the victims of creditor harassment. Creditors and debt collectors are required to follow very specific laws and regulations when it comes to contacting an account holder about any past-due bills. Unfortunately, it's not uncommon for some of these agencies to violate established boundaries. To help you determine if your creditors are overstepping the law while trying to collect on credit card debt or other balances, below are a few signs of illegal harassment.

3 Types of Creditor or Debt Collector Harassment

1. You Are Being Pressured to Pay a Debt You Don't Owe

This is one of the most prevalent types of creditor harassment. They try to convince you of a debt that you had no idea existed. If this has happened to you, contact the creditor in writing within 30 days of the first notice, and tell them you want to see proof of this debt. Also, take the opportunity to include in your letter that you want them to stop contacting you about it.

2. You Are Being Called Repeatedly & at All Hours

It's a debt collector's job to get people to pay back what they owe, whether that's credit card debt, late mortgage payments, or a past-due car loan. That doesn't mean, however, that they are free to call over and over again within the same day or at any time of the day or night. By law, they cannot contact you before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. unless you have expressly given them permission to do so.

3. You Are Being Threatened

A creditor is not allowed to threaten you with a lawsuit, jail time, or wage garnishment unless they have both the right and the intention to do any of these things. In other words, they can't make idle threats. This type of harassment can feel particularly invasive and terrorizing, and if you've been a victim, contact a lawyer to explore your legal options.

One way to put an end to creditor harassment is to start on the path to debt relief. Bankruptcy is an option worth considering for those dealing with credit card debt, late mortgage or car payments, or any other unresolved bills. The attorneys at Brian R. Cahn & Associates, LLC, are here to help you decide which avenue is best for you. They have more than 20 years of experience serving clients throughout Bartow County, GA. Call (770) 382-8900 or visit their website to arrange a consultation.