Unlawful Debt Collection Practices

Texas and Federal laws prohibit debt collectors from taking certain actions against debtors. For example, creditors may not:

  • Threaten to take action which they legally cannot take (garnish wages, send an officer to make an arrest, sue on debt out of statute, etc.)
  • Try to collect a debt which is not due.
  • Call you at work after being told you are not permitted to receive the calls at work
  • Fail to disclose that the call is being made by a debt collector, give the debt collector’s name and state the purpose of the call is to collect a debt.
  • Make calls often enough to constitute harassment, nor call early in the morning and late at night.
  • Use abusive language, profanity, cursing, threats or yelling.
  • Disclose your financial information to third parties (employers, credit references, family members, neighbors, references)
  • Misrepresent the status of a debt or collect sums which are not due.
  • Try to collect an amount greater than what is legally due; adding charges not allowed by law; (threaten to sue on a debt outside the statute of limitations, add charges not actually owed)
  • Refuse to verify a debt

When a debt collector fails to follow Federal and Texas law, they can be sued by the debtor or other victims. Texas law allows you to record the call. It is important that you keep records of the dates, times and contents of the call and any collection letters that are sent to you.
The following Dunnam & Dunnam lawyers routinely represent victims of unfair debt collection practices:

Vance Dunnam Waco Attorney at Dunnam & Dunnam

Vance Dunnam

Vance has 60 years of experience as a lawyer in Waco, Texas handling all types of cases in both the office and the courtroom.

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Vance Dunnam Waco Attorney at Dunnam & Dunnam

Vance Dunnam, Jr.

Vance has been licensed by the State Bar of Texas since 1977 and has practiced law in Waco, Texas since 1978.

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Merrilee Harmon Waco Lawyer at Dunnam & Dunnam

Merrilee L. Harmon

Merrilee L. Harmon is a Family Law specialist, Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1985.

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Andrea Mehta Waco Lawyer at Dunnam & Dunnam

Andrea Michelle Mehta

Andrea's practice focuses primarily in Appellate Law, Civil Trial Law, Family Law, and General Law.

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Jim Dunnam Waco Attorney at Dunnam & Dunnam

Jim Dunnam

Jim Dunnam is a Board Certified Specialist in both Civil Trial Law and Family Law.

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Eleeza Johnson Attorney at Law Dunnam & Dunam

Eleeza Johnson

Eleeza's practice areas include: Personal Injury Law, Civil Trial Law, Commercial Law, Family Law and Pharmaceutical Law.

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Gerald R. Villarrial

Gerald R. Villarrial has practiced family law, criminal law and civil litigation for over 20 years.

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Mason Dunnam

Mason Dunnam is the fourth generation of Dunnam attorneys at the firm since 1925

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Carolina Truesdale

Carolina G. Truesdale graduated from Texas Tech University School of Law, Cum Laude.

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If you have been the subject of unlawful debt collection practices, contact one of our attorneys at Dunnam & Dunnam by calling 254-753-6437.