Unreasonable Collection Practices

by: Jeffrey Broobin

A creditor may not use deceptive or misleading means in an effort to collect a debt. That could include the following: 1. Falsely implying that he is an attorney or government representative 2. Falsely implying that you have committed a crime. 3. Saying correspondence is from an attorney when it is not. 4. Implying that nonpayment of any debt will result in loss of personal property, wages, or arrest unless (a) it is lawful and (b) the creditor intends to follow through with such action. 5. Threatening to take action that is not legal or that the creditor does not intend to take. 6. The false representation that you committed a crime 7. Misrepresenting your credit information or failing to communicate that you are disputing a debt. 8. The use of written communication that pretends to be a document authorized, issued or approved by any court, official or agency of the U.S. or any state, or that creates a false impression as to its source, authorization, or approval. 9. Failure to disclose clearly in all communication that the debtor is attempting to collect a debt and that any information obtained will be used for that purpose. 10. Lying that a debt collector is employed by a consumer reporting agency.