Is NTLMR Making Legal Threats Against You?
Is NTLMR Making Legal Threats Against You? NTLMR is a third-party debt collector. NTLMR also goes by the name NMRC. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a U.S. federal law designed to protect consumers from abusive, deceptive, and unfair debt collection practices. One area of concern under the FDCPA involves the use of legal threats by debt collectors. If you feel as though you have been the victim of legal threats from NTLMR call our office now. Under the FDCPA, if the NTLMR breaks the law, you are entitled to statutory damages up to $1000.00, plus they must your attorney fees.
1. What does the FDCPA say about legal threats?
The FDCPA prohibits debt collectors from making false or misleading statements, including making legal threats that they do not intend or are not legally able to carry out. Specifically, debt collectors cannot threaten to take legal action unless they actually intend to do so and have the legal basis to do so.
2. What constitutes a false or misleading legal threat?
A legal threat is considered false or misleading if:
- The debt collector threatens to sue when they have no intention of filing a lawsuit.
- The debt collector threatens to take legal action that is not legally permissible (e.g., threatening to have someone arrested for non-payment of a debt, which is a civil matter, not criminal).
- The debt collector threatens to take action that they cannot legally take, such as garnishing wages without first obtaining a court judgment.
3. What should consumers do if they receive a legal threat from a debt collector?
If a consumer receives a legal threat that they believe is false or misleading, they should:
- Request written validation of the debt from the debt collector, which they are entitled to under the FDCPA.
- Keep records of all communications with the debt collector, including any threatening letters or phone calls.
- Consider sending a cease and desist letter to the debt collector, requesting that all further communication be in writing.
- Report the debt collector to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and their state’s attorney general.
4. Can debt collectors sue consumers for unpaid debts?
Yes, debt collectors can legally sue consumers for unpaid debts. However, they must follow proper legal procedures, including filing a lawsuit in court. They cannot simply make threats of legal action without intending to follow through.
5. What are the consequences for debt collectors who violate the FDCPA?
Debt collectors who violate the FDCPA by making false or misleading legal threats can face several consequences, including:
- Civil penalties, including being sued by consumers for damages.
- Liability for actual damages, statutory damages (up to $1,000), and attorney’s fees.
- Regulatory actions by the CFPB or FTC, which may include fines or other penalties.
6. Can a consumer be jailed for not paying a debt?
No, consumers cannot be jailed for failing to pay a debt. Debt collection is a civil matter, not a criminal one. Any threat of jail time for non-payment of a debt is a violation of the FDCPA and is considered an illegal threat.
7. What should consumers do if they are sued by a debt collector?
If a consumer is sued by a debt collector, they should:
- Respond to the lawsuit within the time frame specified in the court documents to avoid a default judgment.
- Consider seeking legal advice, especially if the debt is disputed or if the consumer believes the debt collector has violated the FDCPA.
- Request verification of the debt and ensure that the debt collector has the legal right to collect the debt.
8. Are there any state-specific protections against legal threats?
Yes, some states have additional consumer protection laws that provide further safeguards against illegal legal threats by debt collectors. Consumers should be aware of their state laws and how they interact with the FDCPA.
Consumers who believe their rights have been violated under the FDCPA should consider consulting with a consumer protection attorney to explore their legal options.
Who is NTLMR?
NTLMR also goes by the name NMRC. According to their website NTLMR/NMRC collects the following debts: Credit Card
Retail
Consumer Loans
Bad Checks
Landlord Receivables
Property Management
Medical
Deficiency Accounts
About Us
Consumer Rights Law Firm, PLLC is a law firm that specializes in helping clients who are facing harassment from debt collectors. If you suspect that your debt collection rights are being trampled upon, contact our office to begin the process to stop the harassment you may currently be receiving from NTLMR. Our office has been assisting consumers since 2010, and we have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Call us at 877-700-5790 for immediate assistance.
Success Stories
“I would highly recommend the Consumer Rights Law Firm to anybody that has been harassed! They were very professional and straightforward about my rights”.
“I had the pleasure of dealing with Consumer Rights Law Firm PLLC on 2 different occasions the staff were very courteous and helpful, and they were familiar with the Collection Agency’s in question and the harassment calls stop, I was even compensated. I would recommend this company to anyone going thru this type of harassment a very satisfied customer”.
“Because of a lie from a third-party debt collector that threatened me financially I nearly made the mistake of paying the debt collector money I couldn’t afford. The people here were friendly, knowledgeable and settled my case quickly. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!”
Check out the links below for more information:
https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/debt-collection-faqs
