| If you have gotten behind on your bills recently, | | | | to threaten arrest or tell you that your income |
| you may feel as though your creditors are | | | | will be garnished until the debt is paid, unless they |
| hounding you. The U.S. Government has provided | | | | have a legal right to do so. |
| guidelines for debt collection agencies that are | | | | Following the first attempt to contact you, the |
| intended to protect private citizens. Florida State | | | | debt collector has five days to send you a |
| Credit Laws are very similar to those in other | | | | written notice with the creditors name that you |
| states. They are designed to protect consumers | | | | owe, the amount you owe, and what action the |
| and are regulated by the Florida State Attorney | | | | company will take if you do not pay. Florida State |
| Generals Office or the Federal Trade Commission. | | | | Credit Laws allow you to dispute a debt if you |
| If you have fallen behind on payments for a | | | | respond in writing within 30 days of first being |
| personal, family or other household loan, creditors | | | | contacted. The credit agency is not allowed to |
| may contact you by mail, fax, telephone or in | | | | contact you again except to send you proof of |
| person. Debt collectors may contact you a | | | | your debt. |
| reasonable number of times, but not so many | | | | You should also check to make sure that the |
| times that it can be construed as harassment. | | | | agency that has contacted you is registered. |
| Florida State Credit Laws also prevent creditors | | | | Some unethical groups will try to collect debts |
| from calling you at work, if you have made it | | | | when they have not gone through the proper |
| clear that your employer does not approve, nor | | | | steps to make themselves legal. If you feel that a |
| can they call at unreasonable times of the day, | | | | debt collector has violated any of these rules, you |
| such as before 8:00 a.m., unless you agree. | | | | have the right to file a complaint with the Florida |
| Debt collectors are not in any way to threaten or | | | | State Attorney Generals Office or the Federal |
| to give you false information, including telling you | | | | Trade Commission. If you win your case, you |
| that there are lawyers involved when there are | | | | may be refunded for damages, as well as |
| not. Under Florida State Credit Laws they are not | | | | attorney and other legal fees. |