Paying back the money you owe is often harder than you thought it would be when you signed the agreement. Borrowing money seems like a great idea at first, but if your financial situation changes, even slightly, you might not be able to pay it back when it’s due. Sometimes you’ll get a debt collector calling and harassing you, and sometimes the creditor will contact you directly. What if you get a letter from a lawyer?
The Lawyer Is Only Acting as a Debt Collector
When you receive a letter from an attorney in regards to your debt, keep in mind the lawyer is only acting as a debt collector. You are not being sued because of the debt, and the lawyer isn’t taking any legal action at this time. Collection agencies know that when you get a letter from a lawyer, you’re more likely to get scared into paying the debt you owe. While this seems a bit devious, it’s OK for the agency to associate with a law firm for this purpose. The only thing that’s happening, however, is that the collection agency is using the law firm’s letterhead and signature to send a collection letter.
The Lawyer May Not Have Read the Letter
In many cases such as this, the lawyer doesn’t actually read through the debt collection letter. Don’t just assume the lawyer knows exactly what is happening when you get a letter from him or her about collecting a debt. Depending on the state in which you live, this could be considered harassment. In other states, it’s not considered deceptive or harassment, and could be legal to do. To avoid harassment or deception charges, the collection agency must be clear in the letter that the lawyer has not read it and does not agree with it.
You Can Get a Lawyer on Your Side
You don’t have to work on your own when faced with debt collectors and lawyers. In many cases, a bankruptcy lawyer, like one from The Law Offices of Neil Crane, can negotiate on your behalf so you don’t have to pay back the entirety of the debt. In other cases, a payback schedule can be drafted with the help of your attorney. In either case, and many others, you can fight back against any situation in which you feel you need that extra assistance in a debt collection situation.
Contact a Lawyer Today
If you’re being contacted by a lawyer acting as a debt collector, there is help. Contact a bankruptcy lawyer today for the representation you deserve.