Who is Suburban Credit Corporation and are they harassing you?

Dealing with debt collectors is stressful enough without having to worry about harassment or illegal tactics. If Suburban Credit Corporation is contacting you, it’s important to understand your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).

What is Suburban Credit Corporation?

Suburban Credit Corporation is a debt collection agency based in New York. They buy old, unpaid debts from creditors and attempt to collect on them. Like many collection agencies, their methods can sometimes cross legal boundaries into harassment.So how do you know if Suburban Credit is crossing the line from persistent to illegal harassment?

Signs of Harassment from Suburban Credit

Here are some common signs Suburban Credit Corporation may be violating debt collection laws:

• Calling you multiple times per day, especially after you’ve asked them to stop
• Using threatening language, like threats of arrest or legal action
• Contacting you at work after you’ve told them not to
• Calling outside legal hours before 8 am or after 9 pm
• Contacting other people, like family or coworkers, about your debt
• Making false statements about the debt, like inflated balances

These tactics are meant to scare and intimidate – but they are illegal under the FDCPA.

Your Rights Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

Luckily, federal law provides protections against harassment from Suburban Credit Corporation or any debt collector.The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act states debt collectors cannot:

• Call you repeatedly in a harassing way
• Make threats of violence or legal action they don’t intend to take
• Publish lists of debtors (this is why your debt won’t show up on your credit report)
• Contact you at inconvenient places or times
• Lie about the amount you owe

They also have to honor written requests to stop contacting you and provide written verification of the debt if you ask for it.So if Suburban Credit is acting illegally, send them a written cease and desist letter demanding they stop calling you. Under the FDCPA, they have to honor it.You can also report them to the FTC or sue them in state court. Collectors who break the law can be ordered to pay damages – so it pays to stand up for your rights!

Responding to Calls from Suburban Credit

If Suburban Credit contacts you, never ignore them completely. Under the FDCPA, avoiding or dodging a collector can reset the statute of limitations – allowing them to sue you over the debt years later.Instead, tell them to stop calling in writing. Send a cease and desist letter through certified mail stating clearly that you want no further contact about this debt.Keep records of any further attempts they make to contact you. Follow up every phone conversation with a letter reiterating your demands they cease contact. These records will help if you need to sue Suburban Credit later for harassment.

Seeking Legal Help with Debt Collection

Trying to fend off illegal collection tactics on your own can be intimidating. Most states have consumer protection laws that let lawyers help you negotiate or wipe out old debts.Nonprofit credit counseling services can also offer free legal assistance disputing or managing collections. The National Association of Consumer Advocates maintains a directory of lawyers who help defend debtors rights.And if you’re struggling with debt, Delancey Street partners with pro bono attorneys to try settling or restructuring what you owe. Their financial experts can help create healthy money habits so you avoid aggressive collectors in the future.The bottom line? You have rights when dealing with collectors like Suburban Credit Corporation. And the law is on your side if they cross the line into harassment or illegal scare tactics. Don’t hesitate to get legal help knocking debts down to size or stopping mistreatment.

Common Legal Defenses Against Debt Collectors

If you’re sued by Suburban Credit Corporation over an old debt, all hope isn’t lost. Debt collection laws don’t just protect against harassment – they often make it hard for collectors to win judgements.Here are some common defenses people raise when taken to court over unpaid debts:

Statute of Limitations Expired

Debts fall off your credit report after 7 years – but collectors can still sue you to collect in most states. The statute of limitations sets a legal time limit ranging from 3-15 years from the last payment date. If Suburban Credit tries suing outside that window, cite the statute of limitations and the case should get thrown out.

Disputing the Amount Owed

Collectors like Suburban Credit Corporation often tack on crazy late fees and interest charges. If you no longer have statements showing the original debt, ask the court to compel Suburban to produce verification. Odds are they won’t have adequate records proving what you owe.

Identity Theft

If the debt isn’t yours, claim identity theft. This is a powerful defense – but be prepared to file an ID theft report with police and provide evidence clearing your name.The burden of proof falls on the plaintiff in collections lawsuits – so make Suburban Credit prove their case. Often, citing the law and demanding documentation is enough to win. Don’t let intimidation tactics scare you into ignoring court papers if sued.

Key Takeaways

Dealing with debt collectors is stressful. But you shouldn’t have to endure harassment or illegal tactics – no matter how much you owe.Remember, under the FDCPA you have rights. Suburban Credit Corporation can’t…

• Call excessively or at inconvenient times
• Make threats or false statements
• Talk to your employer or family about debts
• Ignore written requests to cease contact

If they do? Report them to the FTC and consumer protection agencies. Seek legal help negotiating debts down or wiping them out. And never endure mistreatment – stand up for your rights under federal and state law when collectors cross the line.