Minnesota Consumer Attorney

Stop Abusive Debt Collectors

Contact me immediately if you have been harassed by a debt collector.

If you are being collected against, protect yourself by taking two steps:

  1. Download and fill out the collector communications log.
  2. Download the guide to recording phone calls and record your phone calls.

Using the communications log

Keeping track of the calls, letters, and other communications you receive from a debt collector is essential. In order to help prove your case, you need to have evidence to back it up. When you use the communications log, be as detailed as possible.

Start by writing down all the calls, letters, etc., that have already happened. For calls, write down as much as you can remember, and fill in the dates as well as you can. Keep copies of everything, including voicemails and letters.

How to record your phone calls

Use the above guide on how to record your calls. (Voicemails are easy to record. Just hold a voice recorder or your computer’s microphone near your phone’s receiver or your answering machine’s speaker.) Every state has a different law on recording, so make sure you read the guide before recording any calls.

Going forward, pull out the communications log to help you take notes while you are on the phone. You should keep a copy with you, if you are getting calls on your cell phone. Otherwise, keep it near your home or office phone. Keep your recorder handy, too, if you are recording calls.

Contact me at any point

Collection logs and recordings allow me to better evaluate your case. If you have already been harassed by a debt collector, do not hesitate to contact me.

If you have a case that I can handle, you pay nothing unless I recover money for you, because the debt collector must pay my attorney fees and costs if I prevail.

Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, a federal law that regulates debt collectors, you have a right to compensation from abusive debt collectors who violate the FDCPA. You can recover:

  • Up to $1,000 in statutory damages;
  • Actual damages;
  • Attorney fees; and
  • Costs.

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