Creditor Harassment Lawyers in Portland

Protecting the Rights of Oregonians Since 1981

While creditors and collection agencies are allowed to contact you via phone, mail, or email to collect on debts, they are subject to state and federal rules prohibiting harassing or abusive behavior. If you are being harassed by a creditor or collection agency, you may have legal recourse.

Solutions, such as bankruptcy filings and other debt relief options, can put an end to creditor harassment via an automatic stay. Vanden Bos & Chapman, LLP is dedicated to helping you resolve all aspects of your debt and can take legal action on your behalf. From directing all creditor actions to our firm to suing a creditor who has violated state or federal laws, we can help restore your peace of mind. We understand that falling behind on your financial obligations is stressful enough without further abuse from creditors.

Talk to our Portland creditor harassment attorneys by calling (503) 664-3134 today. We are ready to help you explore all your legal options.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)

The FDCPA outlines strict laws when it comes to harassing, abusive, or misleading behavior levied against consumers by creditors and collection agencies or anyone a creditor hires to collect on a debt. This federal law applies to all kinds of debt, from credit card bills to vehicle loans, medical or dental bills, utility bills, and mortgages.

Under the FDCPA, the following behaviors are prohibited:

• Threatening physical violence
• Using profane language
• Making repeated phone calls and intending to annoy or harass
• Threatening to engage in illegal actions against you or your property
• Threatening to start a lawsuit when not intending to follow through
• Making false statements about the source of the debt or what is owed
• Claiming to be part of law enforcement or another government agency
• Claiming to be an attorney
• Billing you for fees or fines that are not part of what you legitimately owe
• Calling before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
• Contacting you when you have hired an attorney to represent you
• Contacting your employer when you have expressly asked them not to do so
• Contacting or threatening to contact third parties about your debt, such as relatives or neighbors
• Contacting you after you have expressly asked them to cease and desist (unless the communication concerns actions being taken that are allowed under the law)

If a creditor violates any aspect of the FDCPA, you may be able to initiate a lawsuit against the company, seeking financial damages along with any court costs and legal fees.

Oregon’s Unlawful Debt Collection Practices Act

The state of Oregon also provides its own set of regulations regarding how a creditor may deal with consumers. Under the Unlawful Debt Collection Practices Act, creditors must follow the rules laid out by the FDCPA. If not expressly asked not to, the creditor may contact you at work no more than once a week, only after they have tried to call you at home or if your home address is not available. Willfully violating the law can mean a creditor is liable for a minimum of $200 in damages, potential punitive damages, and legal fees.

Oregon law also allows some exemptions, protecting your personal property, home equity, a percentage of your net wages, and the value of your vehicle, up to certain dollar amounts. Creditors cannot lay claim to exempted property and finances, but these exemptions are complex and can change over time. Our Portland creditor harassment attorneys can inform you on all aspects of both the FDCPA and the state’s regulations regarding creditor behavior and action while taking measures to protect your rights and best interests.

Contact Vanden Bos & Chapman, LLP online or call (503) 664-3134 today to schedule your free initial consultation.