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  • Spectacular!

    I liked your fast, friendly service. You were all knowledgeable in the area of bankruptcy. Your treatment of me as a client was spectacular! You were great at promptly responding to my questions and concerns. I loved that you provided courteous and quick responses to all my questions.
    --Donna
  • Highly Recommended!

    I have worked with Seth and he is the utmost professional in how he works with his clients. If you need an attorney you can trust I would highly recommend the Law Office of Seth Hanson.
    --David
  • Very Professional.

    Everyone was very professional and efficient. Seth, and everyone that I had contact with were very knowledgeable. I was very pleased with how we were treated by his staff. My questions were always answered promptly. I was very pleased with the service I received and would not hesitate to refer someone to your firm.
    --Anonymous
  • Non-judgmental.

    You were very open and answered all of my questions. You never made me feel like I was asking a dumb question. I was comfortable with your knowledge of the law. It was hard for me to make this decision to move forward in my life. Everyone was friendly to me and respectful. Non-judgmental. Every question I asked was answered promptly and appropriately. I would recommend you.
    --Anonymous
  • More Than Expected!

    I found the firm's representation to be more than what I expected. I was always kept in the loop, all my questions were answered (whether or not I asked more than once the same question), and I felt completely supported by the firm staff when going through this (at times) scary ordeal. Thank you again.
    --Joanna
  • Very Impressed!

    I liked that you had very friendly, caring staff. You were all very knowledgeable. Your treatment towards me was excellent and you quickly responded to all my concerns. If a friend asked of your overall impression, I would say that we were very impressed and we would recommend you to them.
    --Danielle

The Debt Collector’s Rule Book

Debt collectors’ tactics are limited by the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA). However, these rules specifically apply to third-party debt collectors -those who collect a debt on behalf of another creditor.

The types of debt that are covered by the FDCPA are: your credit card debt, auto loans, medical bills, student loans, mortgage, and other household debts are covered. The act does not include business debts.

Can debt collectors contact me any time or any place?

They can’t contact you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. unless you agree to it. They also cannot contact you at work if you advise them you cannot accept calls there.

How can a debt collector contact me?

  • Phone calls
  • Letters
  • Emails
  • Text Messages

Can a debt collector contact anyone else about my debt?

A debt collector generally can’t discuss your debt with anyone but you or your spouse. If an attorney is representing you, the debt collector has to contact the attorney. A collector can contact other people to find out your address, your home phone number, and where you work. However, they are only permitted to call those individuals one time.

What does the debt collector have to tell me about the debt?

A collector has to send you a written “validation notice” within five days of first contacting you. The notice has to say:

  • how much money you owe
  • the name of the creditor you owe it to
  • what to do if you don’t think it’s your debt

What are debt collectors not allowed to do?

They can’t harass you. For example, they can’t:

  • threaten you with violence or harm
  • use obscene or profane language
  • repeatedly use the phone to annoy you
  • They can’t lie. For example, they can’t:
  • misrepresent the amount you owe
  • lie about being attorneys or government representatives
  • falsely claim you’ll be arrested, or claim legal action will be taken against you if it’s not true

They can’t engage in unfair practices. For example, they can’t:

  • try to collect interest, fees, or other charges on top of the amount you owe, unless the original contract or your state law allows it
  • deposit a post-dated check early
  • take or threaten to take your property unless it can be done legally

Can a debt collector take money from my paycheck?

Yes, but the collector must first sue you to get a court order — called a garnishment — that says it can take money from your paycheck to pay your debts. A collector also can seek a court order to take money from your bank account. Don’t ignore a lawsuit, or you could lose the opportunity to set up a payment plan that works best for your budget. Up to 25% of your wages can be garnished.

Can my federal benefits be garnished?

Many federal benefits are generally exempt from garnishment, though they might still be garnished to pay delinquent taxes, alimony, child support, or student loans. States have their own laws about which state benefits can be garnished.If you are overwhelmed by creditor phone calls, give your local Stockton bankruptcy attorney a call.

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