It starts with a letter demanding payment on a delinquent credit card account. The original creditor has long forgot about the debt by passing it on to a debt collection agency such as Rash Curtis & Associates. With no response from you, the third party debt collector sends a second letter and this time, the letter contains language threatening to take you to court for failing to take care of the debt. Do you have any rights to fight back against Rash Curtis & Associates?
The answer is yes because of a game changing federal consumer law passed by the United States Congress in 1977. According to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), a bill collector is not allowed to bully you by issuing threats of any kind. Not only is a debt collection agency prohibited from threatening to take you to court, the company is also not permitted to threaten you with bodily harm. If a third party debt collector like Rash Curtis & Associates has harassed you, consult with a licensed consumer protection attorney that has compiled an impressive record of litigating FDCPA cases.
Report the Illegal Activities of a Bill Collector
The FDCPA gives consumers the right to file claims against debt collection agencies for violating one or more provisions of the monumental consumer protection law. It also encourages consumers to report illicit bill collector activities, such as using abusive language or demanding money on a credit card account that has been already paid off. At the federal level, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is responsible for ensuring every debt collection agency complies with the FDCPA. If a third party debt collector has crossed the legal line, your FDCPA lawyer has the option to file a complaint with the FTC. He or she can also send a report to your state’s Attorney General if a similar state law has been violated.
How the Better Business Bureau Can Help
Created to bolster the power of consumers, the Better Business Bureau is an excellent resource for consumers to learn more about American based businesses. If you have a bad experience with Rash Curtis & Associates, you should report the entire experience with the BBB. With enough bad reviews, original creditors might begin to shy away from using the third party debt collector to collect outstanding credit card and personal loan balances. The BBB is also an effective mediator for negotiating resolutions to consumer debt disputes.
![Where to Report a Violation by Rash Curtis & Associates*]()
File a Lawsuit for Monetary Damages
Under the FDCPA, consumers have the right to file claims against debt collection agencies. The lawsuits vary from claims asking for momentary damages to claims asking the court make a bill collector pay statutory damages for violating one or more provisions of the federal consumer protection law. For monetary damages, your FDCPA attorney will have to present evidence confirming the actions of Rash Curtis & Associates are directly related to you suffering from physical and/or emotional duress. Evidence can be in the form of medical documentation and the testimony of healthcare experts.
Prevent Rash Curtis & Associates from harassing you over a consumer debt. Speak with an experienced FDCPA lawyer to learn more about where to report an FDCPA violation against the debt collection agency.
Additional Resources
*Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be constructed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Rash Curtis & Associates or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.