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Can a creditor come to my door?
Anonymous4 views4 answers
I owe a few cash advance company's, I went on maternity leave and made arrangements and informed them of my situation this was 2 months ago. I was not able to keep up with one due to financial problems and did not answer a call or two and I had creditor come to my door and leave a bill. This other time I was in the restroom and my 10yr old was there and someone knocked on the door she didn't answer she said they asked the neighbor if they knew me and if I was home they were not buzzed in what can I do once I find out who it is I have every intention of paying my bill just fell behind.
I am not aware of any provision under federal law that prevents a creditor from coming to your home to discuss payment of a debt. I am posting a link to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act so you can review your legal rights.
Hope this perspective helps!
As long as the time, place and manner of the visits are not outrageous, I highly doubt you would have any argument that they have violated collection laws. Good luck!
It is very unusual for creditors to contact people in this way. However, I agree with my colleagues who have already answered and only want to add that it matters if the party contacting you is the original creditor, or if it is someone trying to collect on behalf of the original creditor. If it is someone trying to collect on behalf of the original creditor, they are classified as a "debt collector" for purposes of the FDCPA. If this is the case, you could send them a letter by certified mail stating that you consider it to be harassment when they come to your house. Request that they stop and it should make them stop. If they do not, you potentially have a lawsuit under the FDCPA. You would have to discuss the situation with a local consumer protection attorney.
An original creditor has more freedom when trying to collect a debt. Because of this, the same conduct that is a violation of the FDCPA for a debt collector may not be a violation for a creditor. All the same, many creditors will stop contacting you in this manner if you send them a written request to stop doing so.
