Debt collectors will go to great lengths to collect a debt. Unfortunately, in their hunt for profits, debt collectors sometimes break the law. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that outlines what debt collectors may and may not do when pursuing a debt. One area that the FDCPA covers is communications with debtors. In this article, we examine whether a debt collector like Portfolio Recovery Associates can call you at work.
What is Portfolio Recovery Associates?
Portfolio Recovery Associates is a major debt collection company that purchases delinquent consumer debt accounts for pennies on the dollar. After purchasing debts, the company attempts to collect money from consumers. Sometimes, Portfolio Recovery Associates resorts to filing lawsuits against consumers who refuse to pay their debts.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
As noted above, the FDCPA governs the behavior of debt collectors. For example, the FDCPA prohibits debt collectors using abusing or harassing methods to collect a debt. In addition, debt collectors may not use profane language or make violent threats when dealing with consumers. However, the FDCPA does not prohibit all behavior that consumers may find embarrassing or annoying, and this includes calling you at your place of employment.
Debt Collection Calls at Work
Under the FDCPA, a debt collector like Portfolio Recovery Associates may call you at work—but this is subject to some limitations. For example, debt collection calls to your place of employment are prohibited if the debt collector has reason to know that your employer doesn’t allow such calls. In addition, when calling your employer, debt collectors may not any discuss details of the debt with the person who answers the phone.
Preventing Debt Collection Calls at Work
To prevent Portfolio Recovery Associates (or any other debt collector) from calling you at your place of employment, all you must do is ask the debt collector to stop calling you at work. Although you aren’t required to communicate this in writing, providing written notification of your request is recommended. If Portfolio Recovery Associates continues to call you at work after you’ve requested otherwise, you may be able to take legal action against the company for violating the FDCPA. The statutory damages available in an FDCPA lawsuit are up to $1,000 for each illegal action.
Contact a Debt Collection Lawsuit Attorney
If you’ve been contacted by Portfolio Recovery Associates in California, you should contact a debt collection defense attorney immediately for assistance. At Fullman Firm, our California debt collection lawsuit defense attorneys are experienced in defending debtors against lawsuits filed by Portfolio Recovery Associates and other debt collection companies. When you come to us for help, we will protect your rights and pursue an acceptable resolution of your situation. We are known throughout the state of California for our skills in the courtroom and at the negotiation table, so we can provide you with exceptional legal service regardless of your unique situation. Please contact us to arrange a consultation.
