ByHow Tennessee Debt Collection Laws Can Protect You
Being in debt is not a good feeling. It can be embarrassing and something you do not want others to know. Therefore, when debt collectors call at bad times, it can increase frustration and become worrisome. Luckily, there are Tennessee debt collection laws that are in place to help you.
You aren't alone in your struggles. It is estimated on average, Americans are approximately $52,940 per person. For Americans who live in Tennessee the averages can be broken down even further with:
| Type Of Debt: | Average Amount: |
| Auto Loans | $4,950 Per Person |
| Credit Cards | $2,460 Per Person |
| Mortgage Payments | $28,210 Per Person |
| Student Loans | $5,210 Per Person |
No matter what has caused your debt, or what you have done so far to try and recover, DoNotPay can simplify the process. We can also help you deal with debt collectors.
Tennessee Debt Collection Laws
Much the same as a debt collection agent must learn how to become a debt collector in Tennessee, you must also develop an understanding of Tennessee debt collection laws and how they apply to you. This is easier than you may think and can help you a lot when it comes to moving beyond debt.
What Is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Tennessee?
In Tennessee, there is an Act that protects people from harassment and abusive debt collection agents. However, because debt collectors must obtain a license and pay to be able to contact you in regard to debt, claims against them may fall under the Federal Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
The FDCPA rules do not cover business-related debts. It only covers:
- Credit Card Debt
- Medical Debts
- Mortgages
- Or Other Household/Family Debts
To be protected by the Act, you must:
- Educate Yourself About Laws
- Keep Accurate Records of Communication Attempts from Debt Collectors
How Does the Federal Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) Protect You?
The FDCPA is designed to protect all Americans, even those who reside in Tennessee to prevent harassment from debt collectors who are legally bound to act a certain way. Although collection agencies are trying to collect a debt that you owe, they must never:
- Use Violent or Abusive Language When Contacting You
- Make Threats Against You or Your personal property
- Call You After 9 pm or Before 8 am
- Pose as Government Organization or Agency to Get Money from You
- Call and Inform Others of Your Debt (Friends, Family, or Employers)
- Contact You If You Have Already Told Them You Have a Lawyer Representing You
If you are being harassed by a collection agency or a collection agent, you should keep a record of the conversations and attempts. The more you have that can prove that you are being harassed, the more successful you will be in making it stop.
What Is the Tennessee Debt Collection Statute of Limitations?
There is a statute of limitations on debt in Tennessee. It is six years from the time the debt was received. However, you should not hold out hope that the debt will be fully erased just because you have surpassed the six-year mark.
By Tennessee law, six years only eliminates the right of the creditor to pursue legal action to collect the debt. It does not stop the creditor from contacting you through the phone or through the mail to request you settle the debt.
What Should You Do When Collection Agencies Call?
It may not always be easy to know how to get out of debt once you are in it. Tackling it on your own will make it even more difficult. Some steps you can take if you want to try and handle it on your own will include:
Step 1: Always Talk to the Debt Collectors
You should never avoid talking to a creditor or a collection agency. Whether the debt is real, or you are unsure that it is your debt, avoiding contact will only make matters worse for you.
Step 2: Request the Debt Collection Agency Put It in Writing
If you do this, you have more ability to dispute the charge if you feel there is an error.
Step 3: Prepare a Dispute Letter
If you owe the debt, talking may provide you with an opportunity to negotiate the payments. If the debt isn't one you remember, then you may be able to write a dispute letter.
According to Federal laws, you have 30 days to dispute a written notice of your debt. When you write the dispute letter, you should be sure to include:
- Your Information
- How Much Debt Is Owed
- Who the Creditor Is
- A Valid Reason Why You Feel the Charge is Inaccurate
- A Request It Isn't Listed on Credit Reports or That It Be Removed from It
This letter should also be sent to all credit reporting agencies to prove that you are disputing the debt.
Step 4: Do Not Provide Your Personal Information Over the Phone
There are people who claim to be collection agencies that may take advantage of your willingness to provide the credit card information to settle a debt. To prevent this and protect yourself, you should:
- Request Validation Letters
- Verify the Details of the Letter
- Avoid Wire Transfer Payments or Anything That Seems Questionable
A legitimate collection agency will work with you on payment options and let you choose how you want to pay off the debt.
If you aren't sure how to deal with debt collections, or you have tried and feel frustrated, DoNotPay can help. We know how to deal with debt collection agencies in Tennessee and can get their attempts to stop.
How DoNotPay Can Help You Stop Debt Collection Attempts
DoNotPay is the world's first online robot, and we understand . We can work with your creditors or dispute false debts for you.
Here's how it works:
- Search "debt collection" on DoNotPay.
- Answer a series of questions about the debt collectors, including when you were contacted and how you were contacted, so we can determine if they have violated any debt collection laws.
- Decide which course of action you want to take based on our guidance, such as filing a debt verification request, demanding for the collectors to stop contacting you, or reporting them to the CFPB.
Once you have decided how you want to handle your situation, DoNotPay will take care of the rest. We will deliver requests to your collectors using first-class mail or file complaints with the CFPB to report unfair debt collection practices.
Once this situation has been handled effectively, DoNotPay can further help you by Cleaning Your Credit Report or requesting a Credit Limit Increase for you!
Other DoNotPay Services You May Enjoy
DoNotPay provides a large variety of services that can simplify your life. We do it all in the easiest, fastest, most secure way possible. Some of our top DoNotPay products include:
- Helping You Cancel Subscriptions
- Helping You with Bills You Owe
- Helping You Send Financial Aid Appeal Letters
- Helping You Locate Missing Money
- And Other Services
If you need help dealing with or one of our other services, you can visit DoNotPay online 24/7. We are always available for you!