Debt collectors can be ruthless. They will do whatever they can to get you to pay your debts. However, there are some things that they are not allowed to do in Illinois. Here are five of them.
1. Harass you in any way
Illinois Fair Debt Collection Act strictly prohibits creditor harassment during debt collection. Which is to say, a debt collector or creditor cannot threaten to have you arrested when you can’t make payments, vocally abuse you, or do anything that makes you or your family suffer mentally or physically.
2. Ruin your reputation publically
Your reputation is important. And a debt collector knows that. So, they will not spread false rumors about you to your business associates, clients, friends or anybody else. They also can’t tell your employer about your debts unless you permit them to do so.
3. Threaten to take your property
A debt collector cannot threaten to take away any of your property just because you can’t make payments on time. That includes your car, house, or any other assets that you may have. The only way they can take away your property is through legal action such as wage garnishment or filing a lawsuit against you and winning the case.
4. Call you outside of reasonable hours
The Illinois Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects you from debt collectors calling you outside reasonable hours. Typically, they can’t contact you before eight in the morning or after nine at night. And within the accepted time frame, they can’t call you if you tell them that you’re not available during those hours.
5. Pretend to be someone else
A debt collector cannot pretend to be anyone else other than who they are. They also can’t lie about their identity or the amount of money you owe.
If a debt collector has done any of the following things, there are legal options you can use to protect yourself. Just be sure to gather sufficient evidence while they are in the act of committing such illegal deeds.