Ask an Oklahoma Lawyer: Under the FDCPA, can a debt collector contact anyone else about my debt?

Dear Oklahoma FDCPA Attorney:

I have a debt collector calling me about my student loans.  They have mailed letters to me and I have spoken with them several times, including just last week trying to make payment arrangements with them.  However, today they called my parents in Florida.  Are they allowed to do this?

Signed, A Debtor Harassed.

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Dear Harassed:

Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). If an attorney is representing you about the debt, the debt collector must contact the attorney, rather than you. If you don’t have an attorney, a collector may contact other people – but only to find out your address, your home phone number, and where you work. If they already know this information, then they have no legitimate purpose to contact your parents regarding your debt, and it is considered unlawful harassment entitling you to statutory damages of up to $1,000, plus free legal representation by Paramount Law Consumer Lawyers.

Also, Collectors usually are prohibited from contacting third parties more than once. Other than to obtain this location information about you, a debt collector generally is not permitted to discuss your debt with anyone other than you, your spouse, or your attorney.

If a debt collector has recently contacted your parents, in-laws, or neighbors regarding your debt, call us next.  We’ll help you fight this harassment and collect the damages that you are owed under the law. Under the laws in the FDCPA, the debt collector is legally obligated to pay our attorney fees.  It won’t cost you anything to have an attorney represent you in court!

Call Paramount Law Oklahoma FDCPA Attorneys at 918-200-9272 or 800-350-2707.