Debt collection companies are increasingly widespread in Italy, but they do not always operate in compliance with laws and consumer rights. In fact, in some cases, illegal and abusive behavior occurs against debtors, which can also be harmed from a psychological point of view. But how do you report a debt collection company? In this article we will see together the steps to follow to protect ourselves and take action against possible abuses
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What are debt collection companies
Debt collection companies are companies specialized in the recovery of outstanding debts. Their objective is to recover the sums owed by debtors to creditors, often credit institutions or financing companies. These companies operate legally and are governed by Italian law, but they do not always comply with the regulations in force. Sometimes, in fact, incorrect and abusive behavior occurs against debtors, such as threats, psychological pressure or requests for undue sums. For this reason, it is important to know your rights and to know how to protect yourself in the event of abuse by these companies
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When can a debt collection company be sued
A debt collection company can be sued when it abuses or violates consumer rights. For example, if the company carries out debt collection actions without having its enforceable title, or the court’s decision that authorizes the action, or if it exerts pressure and threats on debtors, the company may be sued for unfair and abusive commercial practices. In addition, if the company does not respect the debtor’s privacy or if it does not provide the requested information on the debt, it can also be reported for violation of the legislation on the protection of personal data. In general, any unlawful behavior harmful to consumer rights by debt collection companies may be subject to
a complaint.
How to collect evidence for the complaint
To file a complaint against a debt collection company, it is necessary to collect evidence of the company’s unlawful or abusive behavior. Among the useful evidence are, for example, the call recordings, the emails or text messages received by the company, the documents that attest to the absence of an enforceable title, or the testimonies of other people who have suffered abuses or violations of their rights. It is important to keep all the evidence collected so that you can present it to the appropriate authorities and prove the veracity of your allegations. In any case, it is always advisable to contact a lawyer who is an expert in consumer law for more information and adequate support in the complaint procedure
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How to file a complaint against a debt collection company
To file a complaint against a debt collection company, it is possible to contact the competent authorities such as the Antitrust or the Privacy Guarantor, depending on the type of abuse suffered. Alternatively, a complaint can be filed with the Public Prosecutor’s Office competent for the territory. It is important to provide all the evidence collected and the information useful to the complaint, including the data of the debt collection company and those of your debt. In the event of a criminal complaint, it is necessary to be assisted by a lawyer who can represent the injured person. The complaint represents an important step in protecting your rights and reporting any illegal or abusive behavior on the part of debt collection companies
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How to protect yourself from abusive debt collection companies
To protect yourself from abusive debt collection companies, it is important to know your rights and act promptly in the event of improper or abusive behavior. You can ask the debt collection company to provide debt information in a clear and transparent way, and not to be pressured or threatened. In addition, it is important not to provide personal or financial information to debt collection companies that you do not know or that have not been contacted before. In the event that illegal or abusive behavior occurs, it is advisable to collect evidence and file a complaint with the competent authorities. Finally, it is possible to contact consumer protection associations for information and support in the protection of your rights
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In summary, debt collection companies can be sued when they commit abuses or violate consumer rights. It is important to collect evidence and file a complaint with the competent authorities, but also to protect yourself from abusive debt collection companies by knowing your rights and acting promptly. Consumer protection is a fundamental objective to ensure a balance between the parties involved in debt recovery
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