Know your debt collection rights

I'm a firm believer that those who owe money should pay it. If a debt collector calls you about a legitimate debt you owe, it's not automatically harassment. It's not necessarily unfair for the debt collector to inquire about how and when you're going to be paying what you owe. You borrowed the money, you should pay it back.

However, there are debt collectors who violate the law when it comes to contacting you about your debt. It's important to know your rights so that you can be protected from those who abuse the people who owe money. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act sets forth the rules that debt collectors must follow, and the rules are pretty cut and dry.

Your debts include things like credit cards, home mortgages, auto loans, personal loans, medical bills, and the like. Debt collectors cannot: