What Debt Collectors Can't Do

¿ Collectors cannot contact your friends, relatives, employer or others, except to find out where you live and work.

¿ They can't tell the people they call or contact that you owe money. And collectors generally are prohibited from contacting such third parties more than once.

¿ They aren't allowed to harass you. This means no threats of harm to you or your reputation and no profane language. They also can't harass you by inundating you with telephone calls.

¿ They cannot make any false statements, including that you will be arrested.

¿ They can't threaten to have money deducted from your paycheck or to sue you, unless the collection agency or creditor actually intends to do so and such collection is legal.

Certainly many debt collectors abide by the law. Many adhere to a code of conduct mandated by ACA International, the Association of Credit and Collection Professionals.

"We do not believe the debt collection industry is out of control," said Rozanne Andersen, executive vice president and general counsel for ACA International.

Andersen said the industry has a great deal of communication with consumers and just a fraction of all those dealings lead to discontent.

"Our mantra is to treat consumers with integrity and respect," she said.

If you are contacted by a debt collector, you have a right to a written notice, sent within five days after you are first contacted, that lays out the amount you owe. The letter should include the name of the creditor, and what action to take if you believe you don't owe the money. If you think you have been falsely accused or don't owe the amount claimed, contact the creditor and collection agency in writing.

When debts are collected honestly and fairly, it holds down prices for all of us. But if you feel you are being harassed by a debt collector, you should contact the Better Business Bureau, which may be able to help mediate the situation. Also contact the ACA.

If you're having financial trouble, don't accept harassing behavior from a debt collector. Just because you're a debtor doesn't mean you shouldn't be treated with dignity.