Bankruptcy Lawyer St. Petersburg is Calling Out Debt Harassment


June 20, 2016

As your bankruptcy lawyer St. Petersburg, the Law Office of Michael A. Ziegler can help you protect your rights. In today’s society, we carry our cell phones everywhere.

Debt Harassment Facts

Many of us use it as our main phone, and it is rarely left behind.

Because of its constant accessibility, intrusions on our cell phone from unwanted phone calls can be exceptionally frustrating and even feel like harassment.

Nobody wants constant calls from their debt collector on their cell phone, but is there anything you can do to stop it?

This Bankruptcy Lawyer St. Petersburg Knows the Facts

According to the TCPA, maybe. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act applies to telemarketing and debt collection calls. The law prevents a debt collector from calling your cell phone with an auto dialer, unless they have your express permission to contact you on that number.

If you are wondering how the debt collector got your cell phone number to begin with, there are a couple of possibilities.

Most likely, you listed your cell phone on the loan application, or revealed it in previous communication with either the original lender or the debt collector.

Your information gets passed to third party debt collection agencies from your original lender if the debt is contracted.

This means that to stop debt collectors from calling your cell phone, you need to withdraw your permission. The best way to do this is in writing.

Consult a bankruptcy lawyer St. Petersburg to ensure that you are making a proper request, and that it is in your best interests to do so.

A certified letter stating your request will be most effective, and provide a paper trail that will allow you to prove its receipt.

If you are less concerned with the calls to your cell phone, and more frustrated with the nature of the calls, the debt collector may be violating your rights under the FDCPA.

The FDCPA prohibits the collector from making an inappropriate number of calls throughout the day, calling at inappropriate hours, and using abusive language, among other things.

If you feel harassed or even threatened by the calls you receive, you may benefit from consulting a lawyer.

At the Law Office of Michael A. Ziegler, protecting your rights is our priority. If you are receiving phone calls on your cell phone from a debt collector, and you want them to stop, contact our office today, and we’ll help you stand up for your legal rights to harassing debt collectors.

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Michael Ziegler Managing Partner
Michael Ziegler is the managing partner of Ziegler Diamond Law, serving consumers throughout Florida. With a focus on consumer protection, Michael helps clients navigate bankruptcy, defend against debt collection lawsuits, and address credit reporting errors. Known for his strategic approach and dedication to empowering individuals to regain financial control, Michael also chairs the Clearwater Bar Association's Small Firm section. Outside the office, he enjoys camping with his family and pursuing real estate ventures.

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