It only takes a single missed payment for creditors to start harassing debtors with phone calls and letters. If you’re struggling financially, such harassment is only going to add to your stress. Instead of lashing out at a lender when they call, there are better ways to approach the situation and eventually achieve the debt relief you need. Here are a few tips for handling creditor harassment in the meantime. 

Do:

Know your rights.

Creditors can get aggressive when pursuing payment; however, there are limits to what they can do when reaching out to debtors. For example, they cannot come to your place of work, threaten violence or the release of personal information, use obscene language, or call between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. If they do any of the above, make a note of it for your attorney. 

Ask them to stop.

Creditors often pressure debtors to catch up on their payments by calling them daily and sending them letters weekly. You have the right to ask a lender to stop calling or writing in pursuit of payment. The next time you hear from the creditor, obtain their mailing address and submit a request in writing. Keep in mind, however, that even if the harassment stops, your financial obligations will remain until you pursue debt relief. 

Don’t:

Be afraid to take control of the situation.

When you start falling behind financially, it’s easy to feel like you’ve lost all control of the situation. A lot of people accumulate far more debt than they can reasonably pay off, though, and most can turn it around. There are options for those who need debt relief, such as bankruptcy, so use this opportunity to look into them. 

Go it alone.

Regardless of whether you opt for debt consolidation, bankruptcy, or some other approach, seek legal counsel before getting started. A seasoned attorney will evaluate the specifics of your financial situation and explain the pros and cons of each approach. Once you decide which option is best, your lawyer will help you file the necessary paperwork and navigate the subsequent proceedings. 

If you’re tired of being harassed by creditors for late or missed payments, turn to Donald L. Spafford, Jr., Attorney at Law in Honolulu, HI. With more than 30 years of experience, he helps individual and commercial clients all over Oahu achieve the debt relief they need to regain their financial footing. He is also well versed in contract negotiation and commercial litigation. Schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your financial health by filing out the form on his website or by calling (808) 532-6300.