For many people, unexpected life events can cause you to rack up debt that you have difficulty paying. If you don’t pay your original creditor, they may sell your debt to a collection agency.
Debt collection agencies like Receivable Recovery Partners (RRP) can go to extreme lengths to make you pay off the debt, including harassing you with phone calls or misrepresenting the legal status of your debt.
Debt collection agency harassment is against the law. If you believe your rights have been violated, contact a consumer protection attorney at America’s Consumer Lawyer. We can stop harassment from Receivable Recovery Partners and protect your rights.
What is RRP?
Receivable Recovery Partners is a debt collection and outsourced billing services agency located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The business offers clients debt collection services such as pre-collection, bad debt, and insurance resolution.
RRP is a member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association and The Association of Credit and Collection Professionals. It is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Complaints Against RRP
The BBB lists one complaint against RRP. In the complaint, the customer said that a representative for RRP included personal private information on a voicemail recording. They also allege that the representative didn’t read the consumer their Mini-Miranda rights, a set of statements a debt collector must make when contacting a consumer regarding their debt.
What Constitutes Harassment Under Federal and State Laws?
It’s helpful to understand the legal definitions of harassment regarding debt collection to determine if you are experiencing harassment by an agency like RRP.
In 1978, the federal government passed the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) to protect consumers. The following actions constitute harassment under the FDCPA:
- Threatening violence or harm to your property, person, or reputation
- Using obscene language to intimate or harass you
- Calling you repeatedly with the intent to abuse, annoy, or harass you
- Making false statements about your debt
- Stating that they are an attorney or legal representative
- Using a false name for their company
In addition to these guidelines, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, passed in 1991, makes it unlawful for collection agencies to:
- Use robocalling to contact you unless you consent to the phone calls
- Contact you while at a hospital, healthcare facility, or other similar establishments
What Are My Rights When Dealing With a Debt Collection Agency?
Debt collection agency representatives must identify themselves, issue a written notice of the debt and give you 30 days to dispute it. When dealing with a debt collection agency’s aggressive tactics, you have several rights.
Mini-Miranda rights
The term “mini-Miranda” refers to the Miranda rights law enforcement must state when arresting a person for a crime. Similarly, debt collectors must communicate your rights under the FDCPA the first time they contact you about your debt. This applies the first time they contact you by phone or written communication.
Your rights under the FDCPA only apply when dealing with consumer debt and with third-party collectors. For example, a third-party agency like RRP must inform you of your FDCPA rights regarding debt like medical bills, credit cards, or utility bills. Your original creditor does not have to follow the same standard.
If you have debt such as unpaid taxes or due to funds you borrowed to start a business, the FDCPA guidelines don’t apply.
Although third-party agencies must notify you of your mini-Miranda’s, there isn’t a standardized way they must present them. However, a Consumer Protection Financial Bureau report found that most people respond better when a collection agency uses plain language to communicate their rights.
Monetary compensation
If you believe a debt collection agency has violated your consumer protection rights, work with an experienced attorney to stop the harassment. Your attorney can walk you through the steps to take to end harassment, such as filing a consumer complaint and sending a validation request or cease and desist letter.
A consumer protection attorney from America’s Consumer Lawyer can also help you understand how much time you have to file a claim against a harassing creditor. In Illinois, you have five years to take legal action if you have an unwritten debt agreement and ten years for debt with written agreements.
If possible, your legal representation can work to get you monetary compensation for the violation of your rights. Under the FDCPA, you may be entitled to statutory damages of $1,000 plus legal fees for each harassment or deceit violation, so save all correspondence, including voicemail, as evidence.
Stop Receivable Recovery Partners Harassment
Whether or not you owe money, debt collection agencies must adhere to the law when attempting to collect payment. If you are receiving harassing phone calls from debt collection agency RRP, contact America’s Consumer Lawyer as soon as possible. We can enforce your FDCPA rights and end their threatening or intimidating behavior. If a debt collection agency has violated your rights, we can help you pursue monetary compensation.
We have years of experience protecting consumers from predatory collection companies like RRP. We can help you take steps to end harassment and get your life back.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to end harassment by debt collectors and make them accountable.
