Dealing with harassing calls from debt collectors can be a frustrating and distressing experience, especially when faced with constant pressure and intimidating tactics. If you’ve received threatening calls or unfair treatment from Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery (LMM), it’s crucial to understand your rights and take immediate steps to end the harassment. By knowing your rights and having legal options for action, you can regain control and put an end to Lockhart-Morris Montgomery debt collection harassment.
What to Do if Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery Is Harassing You
If you are experiencing Lockhart-Morris Montgomery Debt Collection Harassment, you must understand your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). The FDCPA explicitly protects consumers from abusive debt-collection practices. This law requires debt collectors, including Lockhart-Morris Montgomery, to adhere to strict rules regarding how and when to contact individuals about unpaid debts. Any violation of these guidelines may give you grounds for legal recourse.
If Lockhart-Morris Montgomery’s behavior violated the FDCPA, you could receive up to $1,000 in statutory damages. Additionally, they may need to cover your attorney fees, meaning you won’t have to pay any legal costs out of pocket. You must take immediate action if you believe someone has violated your rights. The Wood Law Firm offers free consultations to evaluate your situation. Their support and guidance can give you the confidence to take the necessary steps to stop the harassment.
By seeking professional legal help, you can explore the next step to stop the harassment and potentially receive compensation. Acting promptly is crucial because it ensures you address these intrusive practices before they escalate further. Your determination to act quickly can be a powerful tool in your fight against Lockhart-Morris Montgomery Debt Collection Harassment.
Understanding Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery
Lockhart-Morris Montgomery operates as a well-established third-party debt collection agency headquartered in Richardson, Texas, with over 14 years of experience in the debt recovery industry. Throughout their years of operation, they have built a track record of aggressive collection practices, which have led to over 50 federal cases. Legal disputes often tie back to their collection tactics, including issues of harassment and unethical communication strategies that have sparked numerous complaints. It’s important to note that while Lockhart-Morris Montgomery functions as a legitimate company, many have questioned their collection practices, leading to legal action and consumer dissatisfaction.
While Lockhart-Morris Montgomery recovers debts, many have frequently raised concerns about its methods. Allegations of harassment and other FDCPA violations have centered many of these cases, showing a pattern of behavior that has brought them under increased legal scrutiny. Consumers dealing with Lockhart-Morris Montgomery must remain aware of these issues and know their rights when confronting aggressive collection tactics.
Address: 1401 N Central Expy Suite 225, Richardson, TX 75080-4681
Phone: (877) 214-3355
Though the company may present itself as a legitimate entity, numerous complaints and federal lawsuits suggest that Lockhart-Morris Montgomery debt collection harassment is not uncommon. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has recorded several complaints against the company, signaling a history of consumer dissatisfaction and concern.
Tactics Employed by Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery
Awareness of behaviors that might indicate illegal practices is crucial when dealing with debt collectors. Debt collectors like Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery (LMM) must operate within the confines of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). This federal law sets guidelines for how debt collectors can conduct their business to prevent abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices. If you encounter any of the following tactics, you may have grounds to pursue legal action:
1. Use of Abusive Language
Debt collectors must not use profanity, threats, or demeaning language. If LMM representatives use harsh or abusive language when communicating with you, this violates the FDCPA. Such behavior is unethical and illegal, and you should document these interactions for potential legal recourse.
2. Calling at Inappropriate Hours
The FDCPA restricts debt collectors from calling you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. If LMM contacts you outside these hours, they are breaking the law. Recording these calls, including times and dates, is essential to support any claims of inappropriate contact.
3. Multiple Calls Per Week
Frequent and repetitive phone calls can be considered harassment. If LMM calls you multiple times a day or several times a week, this behavior may be deemed excessive and illegal. The FDCPA protects consumers from such harassment, and repeated calls can be grounds for legal action.
4. Speaking with Third Parties About Your Debt
Debt collectors may only discuss your debt with you, your spouse, or your attorney. If LMM contacts family members, friends, or colleagues regarding your debt, this is a clear violation of the FDCPA. These actions violate your privacy.
5. Contacting You at Work
If you have informed LMM that your workplace does not accept debt collection calls, they must cease contacting you there. Continued contact after such notice violates the FDCPA, and you should document all instances of workplace contact to support your claim.
6. Threatening Legal Action or Garnishment
Debt collectors cannot threaten legal action, wage garnishment, or other legal consequences unless they have a valid court order. LMM threatening such actions without proper legal backing is considered unlawful. Ensure you keep records of any such threats for potential legal proceedings.
7. Claiming You’ve Committed a Crime
Any suggestion that you have committed a crime due to unpaid debt is illegal. Debt collectors must not imply or state that your financial situation constitutes criminal activity. This tactic is a violation of the FDCPA.
8. Targeting the Wrong Person
Occasionally, debt collectors mistakenly contact individuals who do not owe the debt. If LMM is targeting the wrong person, this can be deemed harassment. You should notify LMM immediately and record any communications related to this issue.
9. Failure to Inform You of Your Right to Dispute
LMM must inform you of your right to dispute the debt within five days of the first contact; if they fail to provide this information, it violates the FDCPA. This notification ensures you know your rights and can challenge any inaccuracies.
10. Demanding More Than the Law Allows
If LMM requests an amount exceeding the actual debt or including unauthorized fees, it breaches the FDCPA. You have the right to dispute any discrepancies and seek correction.
Recognizing Harassing Phone Numbers
Documenting each instance of harassment is essential. Recording the phone numbers used by LMM to contact you is crucial. Some known numbers associated with LMM may include:
877-214-3355
214-522-6424
214-861-7201
However, these are only some of the numbers LMM may use. If you’re receiving repeated or harassing calls from any unknown number, they may use alternate lines to contact you. Keeping a log of these numbers will help when building your case.
FAQs About Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery
Given the concerning practices associated with Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery (LMM), it’s understandable to have questions about their legal authority and limitations. Here are some common queries and detailed answers to help you navigate their practices:
Is Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery a scam?
No, Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery is not a scam. They are a legitimate debt collection agency operating within the bounds of the law. However, their collection practices have faced scrutiny due to numerous consumer complaints and federal lawsuits. This scrutiny often stems from alleged Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) violations and other consumer protection laws. If you believe LMM has subjected you to unlawful practices, it’s essential to document your experiences and seek legal advice.
Can Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery garnish my wages?
Yes, LMM can garnish your wages only under specific circumstances. Wage garnishment can occur if:
- Court Judgment: LMM obtains a valid court judgment against you. A court judgment typically involves them filing a lawsuit and winning the case, which allows them to take legal action to collect the debt.
- Federal Student Loans: For certain types of debt, such as federal student loans, wage garnishment can occur without a court judgment. The government can garnish wages for unpaid federal student loans through administrative processes.
Before any garnishment occurs, LMM must follow legal procedures, including notifying you of the intent to garnish wages.
Can Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery sue me?
Yes, LMM can sue you if the debt is within the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations varies by state and type of debt. It limits the period during which a creditor or debt collector can file a lawsuit to collect a debt. If LMM files a lawsuit and wins, they can obtain a judgment against you, which could lead to further collection actions such as wage garnishment or bank levies.
Can LMM report my debt to credit bureaus?
Yes, Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery are allowed to report unpaid debts to credit bureaus. This reporting can negatively impact your credit score, making it more challenging to obtain credit in the future. Credit reports typically include information about the status of the debt, including whether it is past due or in collections.
Can LMM have me arrested?
Debt collectors, including LMM, do not have the authority to arrest you for failing to repay a debt. However, there are important distinctions:
- Court Orders: If you fail to comply with a court order, such as an order to appear in court or to pay a judgment, a judge could issue a warrant for your arrest. This is not directly due to the debt itself but rather non-compliance with legal proceedings related to the debt.
- State Laws: Some state laws may permit arrest or legal action in cases of unpaid obligations like child support. This generally differs from typical debt collection scenarios and involves different legal processes.
If you are facing legal threats or actions related to debt, it is crucial to understand the nature of these threats and seek legal counsel to address potential violations of your rights.
Legal Action Against Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery
Federal cases involving LMM have demonstrated that the company often skirts the line between lawful collection efforts and illegal harassment. Some of the cases filed against LMM include:
Wright v. Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery (0:14-cv-62653-JIC)
Lopez v. Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery (1:17-cv-03367-RA)
Franz v. Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery (2:11-cv-02307-KJM-DAD)
Thompson v. Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery (3:15-cv-00465-BJD-JRK)
Ingham v. Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery (1:16-cv-24255-PCH)
Each case highlights the collection agency’s aggressive tactics and provides a precedent for pursuing legal action if you’ve been similarly affected.
How The Wood Law Firm Can Help
When faced with Lockhart-Morris Montgomery Debt Collection Harassment, you don’t have to go through it alone. The Wood Law Firm specializes in protecting consumers from unfair debt collection practices. Since 2010, they’ve been helping clients regain peace of mind and end harassing behaviors.
With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, The Wood Law Firm offers expertise in cases related to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), and Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Their team of experienced attorneys is dedicated to fighting for consumers’ rights and stopping abusive debt collection practices in their tracks.
Success Stories
Clients who have worked with The Wood Law Firm have experienced firsthand how effective legal action can be in stopping harassment. Here are a few testimonials:
“I would highly recommend The Wood Law Firm to anyone who has faced harassment from debt collectors. They were knowledgeable and professional, and I got compensation for the stress I endured.”
“Their team was accommodating. I had been dealing with relentless calls for weeks, and after contacting The Wood Law Firm, the harassment stopped almost immediately.”
