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Damages in Debt Collection Harassment Cases

Michael Agruss

Written and Reviewed by Michael Agruss

  • Managing Partner and Personal Injury Lawyer at Mike Agruss Law.
  • Over 20 years of experience in Personal Injury.
  • Over 8000+ consumer rights cases settled.
  • Graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law: Juris Doctor, 2004.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (Rosenthal Act) provide two types of damages for consumers: actual damages and statutory damages. Actual damages include emotional distress and any type of out-of-pocket expenses. On the other hand, statutory damages are awarded when a consumer proves a debt collector violated the FDCPA and/or the Rosenthal Act. If a debt collector fails to comply with any provision of the FDCPA, the debt collector is legally responsible to the consumer for statutory damages up to $1,000.00. Recently, many clients have received debt relief in the amount of $2,500.00, $7,500.00, and over $20,000.00. Debt relief is the unwritten type of damages in debt collection harassment cases.In determining the amount of statutory damages to be awarded, the FDCPA provides that the jury shall consider, among other relevant factors:The frequency and persistence of noncompliance of the FDCPA by the debt collector,The nature of such noncompliance with the FDCPA, andThe extent to which noncompliance was intentional.You are Entitled to Money Damages if You’re a Victim of Debt Collection HarassmentIf a debt collector violates the Rosenthal Act, the debt collector shall be legally responsible to the consumer in an amount not less than $100.00 nor greater than $1,000.00. Therefore, if the consumer is a California resident, they may obtain a maximum of $2,000.00 in statutory damages. Under the FDCPA alone, however, the consumer ma obtain a maximum of $1,000.00 in statutory damages.Neither the FDCPA nor the Rosenthal Act allow for debt relief to the consumer. However, sometimes Mike Agruss Law, is able to receive debt relief for our clients instead of money damages. That is, instead of our clients receiving money damages, the debt collector will wipe out the debt and clear up the client’s credit report. Therefore, although the law does not provide for substantial monetary recovery for the consumers, obtaining debt relief for our clients is sometimes an option. Consumers should keep this potential type of benefit in mind when considering whether or not to pursue a case.

Submitted Comments

Visitor
7 years ago
I was wondering if I qualify for 20,000 in debt relief. Twc time warner cable is harassing me with a fraud bill. And phone calls!
Veronica
6 years ago
I continue to get harassing phone calls from debt collectors. I am also getting harassing emails, which I mark as spam - since those are CLEARLY spam with spelling errors and no identifying information. I have been threatened to get served at my place of employment several times. I received a voicemail today from someone identifying themselves as a processor out of San Joaquin County. She left me her name, she had my full name, but no other identifying information!

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