Can a Collection Agency Call My Office or Coworkers

Calling your work or office is yet another abusive tactic debt collectors use to attempt to shame or embarrass someone into paying a debt. This tactic is similar to the “block party” tactic also discussed on this website and is called an “office party.” This violates the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and falls under the general category of “creditor harassment” or debt collector harassment.

Rather than call your neighbors, the debt collector finds out where you work and calls your office. Again, they are only allowed to do this under the limited circumstances that they cannot get in touch with you and are only allowed to try to obtain your contact information. The effect, at a minimum, is that you have a number of your co-workers coming into your office or cubicle or at the break room telling you that you need to call the debt collector. Of course, often your co workers are curious about this and want to know what is going on with this mysterious person who needs to talk to your right away.

Oftentimes, they go much further, either implying that you are in serious trouble and need to contact them right away or may even go so far as to tell your co-workers that you are in financial trouble and are not taking responsibility for your debts and that you need to contact them immediately.

This tactic is not only embarrassing and harassing; it puts your job at jeopardy. Unlike a block party, the individuals with whom you work have the ability to affect your ability to earn money to provide for your family. These illegal actions threaten that in a very real and dangerous way. You do not have to put up with this type harassment.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act allows you to recover statutory damages of up to $1,000 and actual damages if a debt collector violates your rights by using these abusive practices. Actual damages include emotional distress. Additionally, Alabama state law may allow you to sue for invasion of privacy which also allows you to recover for actual or compensatory damages and sometimes punitive damages. Punitive damages are to punish the collector for this illegal conduct.

If you have been a victim of an office party, please investigate your rights as no one deserves to be mistreated like this. We can help you – please contact us at herringwatts@gmail.com or herringwatts@gmail.com or by phone at 205-714-4443 or 205-879-2447. We look forward to helping you stop this creditor harassment and out of control collectors and to get the compensation you deserve.