One of the most common ways in which North Carolina residents find themselves facing overwhelming debt is if they or a family member have health problems. This could be due to an illness, a condition or an accident. These medical bills accrue quickly and insurance—if the person is insured at all—does not always cover the treatment and care. Failure to pay these bills on time and in full inevitably leads to debt collection calls. If this extends to harassment, it is important to have assistance in fighting back and putting a stop to it.
There are strategies to handle harassing collection calls
Debt collectors are aggressive in trying to collect on what is owed, especially for medical debt. In some instances, they go beyond what is legally allowed. While it is often easier to give in to the debt collector and pay, there are other options to combat this mistreatment. According to Consumer Reports, it is vital to scrutinize the bill carefully to ensure that the bill is accurate and was for treatment the debtor received. For example, the bill could have expenses that did not happen, such as a doctor visit or a procedure.
If this is believed to be the case, debtors should wait before paying anything. Gathering the information about the debt, the debt collector and where the bill came from is crucial. The attempted collection could be part of a scam. It is wise to get a verification for the debt. If it was charged by mistake, filing a dispute is key.
People have the right to fight questionable debt and harassing collection calls
When debt collectors call, they are not necessarily aboveboard with their statements as to what is owed. They might imply various penalties will be meted out for not paying. In some instances, they even make threats. Debt collectors count on people feeling fearful and succumbing to the pressure they exert by paying, largely due to the constant contact.
Debt collection and creditor harassment is still a problem despite governmental attempts to implement rules to hold them accountable. If there have been deceptive practices, scams, accusations of owing debt that the person does not owe and other legal violations, it is imperative to be protected. Consulting with experienced professionals who are compassionate and caring can help with putting a stop to the calls, letters, emails and text messages, check the debt to assess its validity and respond through the legal system.