Debt is not a moral failure—the average American covers a substantial amount of personal debt in the form of medical bills, credit cards, and other loans. But while debt is not a moral issue, collection agencies are very good at making it seem like one. They often rely on shame and embarrassment to get clients to pay up, even if their methods are unethical or even illegal. The debt defense attorney at Garza Law Office, PLLC can advocate for you against Portfolio Recovery Associates and other collection agencies.
For ten years, Garza Law Office, PLLC has advocated for clients throughout the Edinburg area. We have firsthand experience with what you’re going through and we’re passionate about providing empathetic solutions to your legal issues. Call us at 956-329-1304 to set up a consultation now.
What is Portfolio Recovery Associates?
Portfolio Recovery Associates is a debt collector that purchases debts from credit card companies, personal loan providers, and other lenders. They then pursue debtors to secure payment. They have a massive presence across the country, and unfortunately, they have often been reported for unethical and illegal debt collection practices. They recently lost a class action lawsuit in North Carolina and paid millions to 18,000 debtors in North Carolina. If you have an unpaid debt in Texas and the original creditor is unsuccessful in securing payment, you could end up on the receiving end of a phone call from PRA.
Recognizing Harassment From Debt Collectors
Harassment from debt collectors can come in many forms. Any actions intended to annoy, harass, or abuse you fall into this category. For example, a collector that calls over and over again when you ignore their first call is engaging in harassing behavior. Collection agencies that share information about your debt with family members and friends in an effort to shame you into making payments are also harassing you. The law places strict limits on how debt collectors can attempt to secure payment, and when they run afoul of these laws, it’s important to talk to a debt defense law firm about your legal options.
Your Legal Rights
There are two main laws that your debt defense law firm may refer to in these types of cases: The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Texas Debt Collection Act. The FDCPA strives to stop harassment from debt collectors by limiting how often they call, what times they call, their usage of social media, harassment, and abuse. The Texas Debt Collection Act is very similar to the FDCPA. It prevents debt collectors from using abusive and fraudulent collection tactics, and it even allows victims to seek damages from debt collectors who violate this law.
If people have these rights everywhere in America, why do so many companies rely on unethical or illegal collection tactics? Simply put, those tactics work. People who are ashamed of their debt or afraid of loved ones finding out about it often pay up in an effort to make the problem go away, not realizing that the debt collector hasn’t successfully proven that they even owe the debt. Many people don’t know their rights until they talk to a debt defense lawyer.
Steps to Take to Advocate for Yourself
You can start by asking PRA to validate the debt. Validation notices are generally sent within five days of a collection agency contacting you, and they must include the name of the creditor, the amount of the debt, an itemization of the debt, and a timeframe in which you can dispute the debt.
If you feel that the agency is being aggressive or harassing in their communications with you, you can request that they only communicate with you in writing. For example, if they reach out to you on a personal social media account or call you at work, you can request that they not use those contact methods.
From there, if you want to dispute the debt or figure out if settling it is an option, you may want to turn to a debt defense lawyer. They can review the creditor’s claim, look for weaknesses, and even help negotiate a settlement.
Discuss Your Concerns With Garza Law Office, PLLC
Are you feeling targeted by debt collectors? Are you afraid to answer your phone because you know a collection agency is likely on the line? Let’s talk about your options. Set up a consultation with a debt defense attorney now by connecting with us online or calling us at 956-329-1304.
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