Offering high-quality, cost-effective representation to consumers throughout Maryland

  1. Home
  2.  → 
  3. Consumer Rights
  4.  → What should you do about creditor harassment?

What should you do about creditor harassment?

Owing money to creditors is extremely stressful. In addition to your concerns about your finances, you may also experience stress when it comes to creditor interactions. This is especially true when dealing with aggressive tactics and techniques.

However, keep in mind creditors cannot use harassment as a means of recouping the money you owe. This guide explains which behaviors are illegal, and what you can do when you believe a creditor is engaging in harassment.

Actions and behaviors to watch for

In some instances, a creditor may attempt to misrepresent themselves in order to frighten the recipient. They may claim they are an attorney, even when they have no legal background. They might make threats of arrest, despite having no legal authority to do so. Some creditors will also inflate the amount you owe for their own personal gain.

In terms of harassing behaviors, watch for insults, threats, and obscene language. Persistent phone calls intended to annoy the recipient also fall into the category of harassment. While the creditor can forward your name to a collections company, they cannot publish your name and personal information publicly in an attempt to shame you.

What you can do about harassing behaviors

Keep a record of all correspondence from the creditor. You should also create a phone log of all conversations you have, including the dates and times. Make a note of the topics of these phone calls, including any suspicious behavior.

You can reach out to the creditor directly to request that they cease the harassing behaviors. You can also secure legal assistance if the harassment does not stop after your attempts at communication.