Debt Collection
Debt collection in Michigan is regulated by federal and state laws. These laws give you certain rights in
dealing with bill collectors.
The most important thing to do to protect your rights is to do all your business with bill collectors and
creditors in writing. Keep copies of notes and letters and keep track of all phone calls.
Keep everything the collector sends you. Keep them in a safe place with your loan papers.
There are many things that collectors cannot do when collecting a bill. For example:
1. Threaten you or use physical force to collect a bill.
2. Use forms that look like court papers or legal papers.
3. Threaten to have you arrested if you don't pay.
4. Call you collect, or charge telegrams to your phone bill.
5. Swear at you or use abusive language.
6. Tell anyone else about your bill, including members of your own family, neighbors or people at work.
7. Bother you at work, unless you have given written permission.
8. Send postcards about your debt.
9. Operate with a false or assumed name.
10. Mislead you about the real situation with your loan, or give you false information about your legal
rights
11. Bother you at unreasonable times, usually before 8:00 am or after
9:00 PM.
If a bill collector does any of these things, you should see a lawyer, you may be able to sue the collector
for damages. If you sue, and the court finds that the collector knew he was breaking the law, you may be
able to get three times the damages the collector caused.
This brochure is not a substitute for legal advice.
If you feel you are being harassed, call a lawyer or your legal aid office.
Legal aid of central Michigan
300 n. Washington, St. 311
Lansing, Michigan 48933
(517) 485-5411
(517) 485-5110 fax
(800) 968-0044