The Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the New York City City Customer Protection Law Guideline 10 and New York City State Statute, General Company Law, Article 29-H, (the "State Statute") all forbid threatening, bothering and intimidating collection procedures. For example, the State Statute restricts a collection agent from (a) threatening to interact with your company prior to that agent getting a judgement against you, (b) communicating with your household or home at such frequency or at such uncommon hours as can fairly be expected to be abusive ZFN Associates or harassing, or (c) simulating any judicial or legal process or appearing to be authorized, issued or authorized by the government or a lawyer to gather a debt.
If the collection agent sends you a letter requiring you pay without the reuired notice under the federal law concerning your confidentiality, your rights to challenge the debt an dgiving you the appropriate 30 days to react, then the debt collector is automatically accountable to you for any damages plus three times the quantity of your damages. Each violation of the State Statute is a different misdemeanor offense. You can file accused of the State Attorney General or your County District Attorney as well as request a restraining action versus the collection business to stop it from continuing abuse and harassment.
If you feel abused or bothered by a debt collector, call that agency and get the name and address of the owner/president. Send your written problem, by certified mail, return invoice, to the owner/president and include in your letter that you "think that agency is breaching the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and other state and local laws which you will (a) file complaints with the Chief law officer or the District Attorney's office (subjecting the collection business to misdemeanor charges) and (b) demand a restraining action versus the collection agency." If the collection business continues to abuse and harrass you, then go ahead and file your complaints and charges.
This post is certainly not all inclusive and is meant just as a brief description of the legal concern presented. If you have any questions with respect to any legal matters, not all cases are alike and it is highly suggested that you seek advice from an attorney.