It should come as no surprise that collection agencies have stepped up their activities in the pursuit of monies owed by consumers. However, with the increase of collection actions there has also been an increase of unsavory collection practices, many of which are unacceptable or even illegal. USA Today published an article that exposes just the tip of the questionable debt collection practices iceberg. That article gives a glimpse of what consumers who are delinquent in payment are facing, and what they can do about improper collections practices.

According to USA Today, "Complaints against debt collectors, after plunging in 2005, are rising again, the Council of Better Business Bureaus says. Complaints surged 20% in 2006 and 26% in 2007, according to the BBB's preliminary figures. And the Federal Trade Commission, which receives more complaints about debt collectors than about any other industry, says it's seen a steady rise in complaints against debt collectors." Debtors need to be made aware that they have specific protections that are provided by law. I'll tell you where to get started.
Your first defense against unacceptable collections practices is to become informed about what the law says collections agencies can or cannot do. For instance, did you know that debt collectors are prohibited from calling you at your place of work if they are informed that your employer does not allow such communications? They also must stop calling you at home if you request it in writing. Debt collectors cannot lie to you about material facts when attempting to collect a debt and they cannot threaten you with action outside of legal process.

Smart consumers can begin to protect themselves by reading the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. This law provides a clearly defined set of rules that collections agencies must adhere to. Violations of this law can carry heavy consequences for bill collectors, up to and including dismissal of the debt and payment of damages. I also urge consumers who feel that they are being treated unfairly or illegally by debt collectors to contact their state Attorney General and the Better Business Bureau. It's bad enough if consumers temporarily can't pay their bills. They don't need unjustified harassment while trying to get back on their feet again.