Comments on: Could you collect more in a panther outfit?

By: Obi Juan

Obi Juan — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 21:05:41 +0000

I don’t see anything they did that’s in violation of Fthe air Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf. However, in out overly-litigious society I am sure a debtor with a saavy attorney can find a way to sue the creditor for harassment. They have a year to do it after the alleged harassment occurs.

Under the United States Code Title 18 Subsection 1514(c)1. Harassment is defined as “a course of conduct directed at a specific person that causes substantial emotional distress in such a person and serves no legitimate purpose”.

Debtors cold just pay their debts. If they aren’t able to do to some tragic event, most collectors are willing to work with debtors that make an attempt top resolve their debt through payment plans.

By: Anger over Rock repossession rate - PoliticalGroove Forums

Anger over Rock repossession rate - PoliticalGroove Forums — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 23:50:11 +0000

[...] or is all blame on the debtors? Let us know what you think in the comments section below. Source. __________________ [...]

By: downandoutinnys

downandoutinnys — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 21:02:04 +0000

Thank god that’s not happening here in the USA. Being in debt is one thing but being harassed to the point of jeopardizing your family, friends and work is another. Granted, the wedding reception couple tried to take advantage of the caterers but that what laws are for. Civil proceedings would come into play, not calling the guest list and using them as a leverage tool. Not only did the debt collector harass the couple that owed them money but also their guest who attended the wedding. I’m sure a guy in a pink panther suit showing up at my door to collect on a credit card that I can no longer afford to pay would be quiet a sight. Matter of fact, that would be a kodak moment. I would have him stand there while went to get my camera. Then if more collectors came in other costumes I could start handing out candy like it’s Halloween. Hey, I never get trick-or-treaters anyways. LOL.

By: Sammy Sidestep

Sammy Sidestep — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 20:24:00 +0000

Yeah, as already stated above, it would never work in the USA becuase the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is a federal law that prohibits a debt collector from any conduct the natural consequence of which is to harass, oppress, or abuse any person in connection with the collection of a debt. Well, that and the fact that they would get their lights punched out or simply shot. Especially the bagpipes guy.

By: Edward

Edward — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 11:19:06 +0000

This service would be illegal in the USA as it is against federal law for a collection agent to make his/her attempt to collect a debt known to anyone other than the debtor without a court order in which case the state would be in charge of collection. As DC mentioned above regarding businesses that display bad checks in store windows, this is highly illegal also. The person who wrote the bad check could sue to have the entire debt negated and collect a liability payment as well.

By: tom

tom — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 06:13:07 +0000

Very funny, until one of these clowns gets their lights punched out, or maybe shot while tresspassing on the debtor’s property. That is is exactly the action I would I would take if I were so harrassed … Who pays THAT bill?

By: Medical Debt Collector

Medical Debt Collector — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 03:32:40 +0000

Some of the large agencies can & do work in the gray (earning bad rep.s), but you never seem to hear about the collectors that take the time to work with people. We all know life happens particularly with medical bills, it’s not a TV you bought with a credit card… You needed services… it is not a crime to owe a bill… but everyone has a responsibility to try & repay the debt….I have had thank cards, flowers and calls make to my boss to let them how nice, kind & understand I have been…. for those people that flat refuse to pay & throw in a few choice words to make their point I have the option of request suit against them … It would be nice to have other options open for dealing with such people besides suit… but for better or worse of the nation it isn’t allow per the FDCPA… but I wish the collectors in Spain all the best & happy collecting … Get as much as you will you still can….

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 22:50:12 +0000

Wow! I’ll just grab my wizard costume and the next plane to Spain! I can be paid to be a costumed character and not have to apply to Disney? I’m sold!

By: Karen

Karen — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 22:48:23 +0000

Yeah, someone taking a service without an intention to pay is totally stealing.

But what about those of us who have fallen on hard times–lost a job, a loved one, etc.

Are we criminals too just because our needs/income/life circumstances changed?

Evidently so.

By: whcrow

whcrow — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 22:32:40 +0000

It’s illegal in the United States.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_Debt_Collection_Practices_Act