Is Lamont Hanley Associates Calling You Repeatedly?
Repeated calls from Lamont Hanley Associates can disrupt your daily life and cause significant stress. If you’re receiving multiple calls per day, threats about legal action, or contact at your workplace, you may be experiencing debt collection harassment that violates federal law.
Lamont Hanley Associates operates as a debt collection agency from Manchester, New Hampshire. While they are a legitimate business, their collection tactics have led to numerous consumer complaints. Additionally, the company suffered a data breach in 2024 that exposed sensitive personal information, creating identity theft risks for affected consumers.
Understanding your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act helps you recognize when collection efforts cross legal boundaries and empowers you to take action.
About Lamont Hanley Associates: Company Background
Lamont Hanley Associates (LHA, Inc.) was established in 1993 and operates from Manchester, New Hampshire. The company collects overdue debts for medical offices, insurance companies, financial institutions, and other businesses.
Company Contact Information:
- Address: 1138 Elm Street, Manchester, NH 03101
- Main Phone: (800) 639-2204
- Local Number: (603) 625-5547
- Website: www.lhainc.com
The company maintains memberships with ACA International and the International Association of Commercial Collectors. Despite these professional affiliations, Lamont Hanley has been the subject of numerous consumer complaints alleging aggressive tactics and potential violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
The 2024 Lamont Hanley Data Breach: What You Need to Know
In 2024, Lamont Hanley Associates experienced a data breach that may have compromised sensitive consumer information. Understanding what happened and how to protect yourself is critical if you received a breach notification letter.
Timeline of the Data Breach
The company’s investigation into the breach concluded on February 28, 2024. Lamont Hanley sent Notice of Data Breach letters to affected individuals on May 2, 2024, approximately two months after completing their investigation.
What Information Was Compromised?
The breach potentially exposed:
- Full names (first and last)
- Dates of birth
- Social Security numbers
- Account information
- Contact details, including email addresses
This type of personally identifiable information enables identity thieves to open fraudulent credit accounts, file false tax returns, apply for loans in your name, and commit various forms of financial fraud.
Class Action Lawsuit Filed
In August 2024, Federman & Sherwood, a law firm specializing in data breach cases, filed a class action lawsuit against Lamont Hanley Associates. The lawsuit alleges the company may have failed to implement adequate security measures to protect personally identifiable information, potentially exposing consumers to identity theft risks.
If you received a breach notification letter from Lamont Hanley Associates, you may be eligible to participate in this lawsuit and could potentially recover compensation for damages, credit monitoring costs, and time spent addressing identity theft issues.
Protecting Yourself After the Breach
Lamont Hanley offered affected individuals one year of free credit monitoring services. While this provides some protection, security experts recommend taking additional steps:
Immediate Actions:
- Activate the free credit monitoring service immediately
- Review all three credit reports for unauthorized accounts or inquiries
- Place fraud alerts with all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion)
- Consider placing credit freezes to prevent unauthorized account openings
- Monitor existing financial accounts for suspicious transactions
Ongoing Protection:
- Check credit reports quarterly throughout the year
- Watch bank and credit card statements carefully
- File tax returns early to prevent fraudulent tax filings
- Save all breach notification documents for your records
- Consider identity theft insurance for additional protection
The Federal Trade Commission provides comprehensive identity theft resources to help victims protect themselves and recover from fraud.
Recognizing Potential Debt Collection Harassment
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act establishes clear rules for how debt collectors must behave. If you believe Lamont Hanley Associates may be violating these rules, recognizing the signs helps you document violations and take appropriate action.
Excessive or Untimely Phone Calls
If you believe you’re receiving an unreasonable number of calls from Lamont Hanley, this could potentially constitute harassment. Federal law prohibits debt collectors from calling before 8:00 AM or after 9:00 PM in your time zone.
While the FDCPA doesn’t specify an exact number of calls that constitutes harassment, courts have found that patterns of 7-10 or more daily calls, especially when combined with other aggressive tactics, may violate federal law. Documenting these calls properly creates important evidence if you need to take legal action.
Threats About Legal Action They May Not Take
If you believe Lamont Hanley is threatening lawsuits they don’t intend to file or lack authority to pursue, this could potentially violate the FDCPA. Debt collectors can pursue legitimate legal remedies, but they cannot make empty threats designed to intimidate or coerce payment.
False threats about wage garnishment without a court judgment, property seizure, or criminal prosecution may violate federal law’s prohibition against deceptive practices.
Contact with Third Parties About Your Debt
If you believe Lamont Hanley has discussed your debt with family members, friends, neighbors, or your employer without your permission, this may violate your privacy rights under the FDCPA.
Limited exceptions exist only for location purposes—collectors can contact others to obtain your phone number or address, but they cannot identify themselves as debt collectors or mention any debt. If you believe they’ve shared debt information with third parties, this could constitute a federal law violation.
Using Abusive or Profane Language
If you believe collectors have used obscene language, raised their voices to intimidate you, or engaged in other abusive behavior during phone calls, this may violate the FDCPA’s requirement that collectors maintain professional communication.
While collectors can firmly request payment, if you believe their language or tone crosses into abuse or intimidation, you may have grounds for legal action.
Misrepresenting Their Identity or Authority
If you believe Lamont Hanley collectors have falsely claimed to be law enforcement officers, government officials, or attorneys, this could violate federal law. Collectors also cannot threaten arrest for unpaid debts or claim powers they don’t legally possess.
These misrepresentations may violate the FDCPA’s prohibition against deceptive practices designed to mislead consumers about their legal obligations.
Contacting You at Work After Being Told to Stop
If you’ve informed Lamont Hanley that your employer prohibits personal calls at work or that workplace contact is inconvenient, and they continue calling your workplace anyway, this may violate federal law.
Once you’ve made this notification, continued workplace calls could constitute harassment under the FDCPA.
Your Legal Rights Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
Understanding your federal rights empowers you to recognize violations and take appropriate action:
Right to Written Debt Validation Within five days of their first contact with you, Lamont Hanley must send a written validation notice containing the debt amount, the name of the original creditor, and your right to dispute the debt. If you don’t receive this notice, they may be violating federal disclosure requirements.
Right to Dispute the Debt You have 30 days from receiving the validation notice to dispute the debt in writing. If you send a written dispute, Lamont Hanley must cease all collection activities until they provide verification proving you owe the debt and they’re authorized to collect it.
Right to Privacy Protection Lamont Hanley cannot discuss your debt with unauthorized third parties. Generally, only you, your spouse, and your attorney can be contacted about debt details. If you believe they’ve violated this rule, you may have grounds for legal action.
Right to Stop Communication You can send a written cease-and-desist letter demanding Lamont Hanley stop all contact with you. After receiving your letter, they can only contact you to confirm they’ll stop communication or notify you of specific legal actions they intend to pursue.
Right to Reasonable Contact Times Calls must occur between 8:00 AM and 9:00 PM in your local time zone. Calling outside these hours is illegal and provides clear evidence of FDCPA violations.
Right to Sue for Violations If you believe Lamont Hanley has violated the FDCPA, you may be entitled to sue for statutory damages up to $1,000 (regardless of whether you suffered actual harm), plus any actual damages for emotional distress or financial losses, attorney fees, and court costs. The law requires the violating collector to pay your attorney fees if you win.
What to Do When Lamont Hanley First Contacts You
Your initial response can significantly impact how the situation develops:
Don’t Acknowledge the Debt Immediately
If you believe the debt may not be yours, may be incorrect, or could be beyond the statute of limitations, don’t acknowledge it during the first contact. Simply inform them you’re aware of your rights under the FDCPA and will respond in writing.
Acknowledging debts—especially old ones—can potentially restart statutes of limitations and create legal obligations you may not actually have.
Request Written Debt Validation
Send a validation request within 30 days of their first contact. Your letter should ask for:
- Complete documentation proving the debt’s validity
- The original creditor’s name and contact information
- Proof that Lamont Hanley owns the debt or is authorized to collect it
- A complete payment history if available
- Documentation showing the debt is within the statute of limitations
Send your request via certified mail with return receipt to prove delivery and timing.
Document Every Single Contact
Keep detailed records of all communication with Lamont Hanley:
- Date and time of each phone call
- Phone number they called from
- Name of the person who contacted you
- Complete details of what was said
- Any threats or statements you believe may be false
- Voicemail messages (save the recordings)
- All written correspondence
This documentation becomes critical evidence if you decide to file a complaint or pursue legal action.
Never Make Payments Before Receiving Validation
If you believe the debt may not be yours or may be incorrect, don’t make any payments until you receive and verify complete validation. Making payments on unverified debts could:
- Result in paying debts you don’t actually owe
- Restart the statute of limitations on old debts
- Acknowledge debts that may not be legally collectible
Inform Them Immediately About Workplace Restrictions
If Lamont Hanley calls you at work, immediately state clearly that your employer prohibits personal calls and workplace contact is inconvenient. Document this notification carefully with the date, time, and name of the person you spoke with.
Any calls to your workplace after this notification may violate federal law.
How to Verify if the Debt Actually Belongs to You
Verification protects you from paying incorrect, fraudulent, or time-barred debts:
Carefully Review the Validation Notice
When you receive Lamont Hanley’s validation notice, examine it thoroughly:
- Does the debt amount match your records?
- Do you recognize the original creditor’s name?
- Are the dates accurate?
- Do you have documentation showing you already paid this debt?
Compare their information against your financial records, old statements, and any correspondence from the original creditor.
Check All Three Credit Reports
Obtain free credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion through AnnualCreditReport.com. Look for:
- Whether this debt appears on your credit reports
- If the amounts match what Lamont Hanley claims
- Whether the dates are consistent
- If other collection agencies are also reporting this debt
Discrepancies between credit reports and Lamont Hanley’s claims may indicate errors or fraudulent collection attempts.
Verify the Statute of Limitations
Understanding time-barred debts helps you identify debts that may be beyond your state’s collection period. Most states set statutes of limitations between 3-6 years depending on the type of debt and your state’s laws.
If you believe the debt may be time-barred, Lamont Hanley cannot legally sue you for it, though they may still attempt collection. Making payments or acknowledging very old debts can potentially restart the limitations period.
Watch for Warning Signs of Incorrect Debts
Be particularly suspicious if:
- Lamont Hanley cannot provide original creditor documentation
- The debt amount differs significantly from what you remember owing
- You’ve never heard of the original creditor they claim assigned the debt
- The debt dates back many years and may be time-barred
- They refuse to send written validation despite your written request
- You have records showing you already paid this debt
How to Stop Lamont Hanley Phone Harassment
If you believe the harassment has become unreasonable, you have several legal options:
Send a Written Cease and Desist Letter
Federal law requires debt collectors to stop contacting you after receiving a written cease-and-desist demand. Your letter should clearly state:
“I am exercising my right under 15 U.S.C. § 1692c to demand that Lamont Hanley Associates cease all communication with me regarding the alleged debt referenced as account number [insert number].”
Include your full name, address, and the account number they provided. Send via certified mail with return receipt requested.
After receiving this letter, Lamont Hanley can only contact you to:
- Confirm they will stop communication
- Notify you of specific lawsuits they’re actually filing (not just threats)
Any other contact after receiving your cease-and-desist letter may violate federal law.
Stop Workplace Calls Specifically
If you prefer they continue communication but not at work, send a separate written notification stating your employer prohibits personal calls and workplace contact is inconvenient. Keep a copy of this notification and the certified mail receipt.
Workplace calls after this notification could potentially violate the FDCPA.
Document Their Use of Multiple Phone Numbers
Lamont Hanley may use various phone numbers including:
- (800) 639-2204
- (603) 625-5547
- Various other numbers for outbound calls
If you believe they’re using multiple numbers to bypass your call blocking or to increase the frequency of contact, document each number they use. This pattern may strengthen harassment claims.
Consider Legal Action to Stop the Harassment
Contact The Wood Law Firm at 📲 844-638-1122 to discuss your situation. We can immediately intervene to stop the harassment while evaluating whether you have grounds to pursue compensation for potential FDCPA violations.
Medical Debt Collection: Special Considerations
If you believe Lamont Hanley is contacting you about medical debt, special rules and protections may apply. Medical debt collectors often cross legal lines because consumers don’t fully understand healthcare billing complexities.
Recent Medical Debt Protections
As of 2023, enhanced protections apply to medical debts:
- Medical debts under $500 cannot appear on credit reports
- Medical debts must remain unpaid for one year before credit reporting (increased from six months)
- Paid medical collection accounts should be removed from credit reports
Verify Medical Debt Accuracy Before Paying
Before making any payment on medical debt to Lamont Hanley, verify:
- Your health insurance company processed all claims correctly
- The healthcare provider billed the correct amounts
- You received all available discounts, financial assistance, or charity care
- The amount matches your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your insurer
- The debt isn’t the result of insurance processing errors or incorrect billing codes
Many medical debt disputes arise from billing errors, incorrect coding, or insurance companies failing to pay claims they should have covered. Paying before verification could mean paying debts you don’t actually owe.
Can Lamont Hanley Garnish Your Wages or Sue You?
Understanding what Lamont Hanley can and cannot do legally helps you identify potentially false threats:
Requirements for Wage Garnishment
If you believe Lamont Hanley is threatening wage garnishment, know that they cannot garnish your wages unless they:
- File a lawsuit against you in court
- Serve you with proper legal notice of the lawsuit
- Win a court judgment proving you owe the debt
- Obtain a separate garnishment order from the court
Exception for Certain Federal Debts: If Lamont Hanley is collecting federal student loans or tax debts, these may allow administrative wage garnishment without court judgments. However, you must still receive proper notice before garnishment begins.
Federal Garnishment Limits
If garnishment does occur, federal law caps the amount at the lesser of:
- 25% of your disposable earnings, or
- The amount by which your weekly disposable earnings exceed 30 times the federal minimum wage
The U.S. Department of Labor explains federal wage garnishment protections in detail. Some states provide additional protections that may further limit garnishment amounts.
Understanding garnishment procedures helps you recognize if threats about immediate garnishment without a judgment may be false and potentially illegal.
When Lamont Hanley Can Sue You
Lamont Hanley can file a lawsuit if:
- The debt is within your state’s statute of limitations
- They have proper documentation proving you owe the debt
- They own the debt or have authorization to collect it
If you believe they’re threatening to sue but the debt may be time-barred or they lack proper documentation, these could potentially be empty threats designed to coerce payment.
What to Do If Lamont Hanley Files a Lawsuit
If you receive notice that Lamont Hanley has filed a lawsuit against you, never ignore it. Taking immediate action protects your legal rights:
Verify the Lawsuit Is Real
Confirm the lawsuit’s legitimacy by:
- Checking court records directly through the court clerk’s office
- Verifying the case number, filing date, and court location
- Confirming you were properly served according to your state’s service rules
Scammers sometimes send fake legal documents to frighten consumers into making payments. Always verify directly with the court before taking action.
File Your Answer Within the Deadline
Most states require written responses (called an “answer”) within 20-30 days of being served. Missing this deadline could result in a default judgment that grants Lamont Hanley significant collection powers, including wage garnishment and bank account levies.
Your answer should:
- Specifically admit or deny each allegation they’ve made
- Raise affirmative defenses (such as expired statute of limitations or lack of proper documentation)
- Assert any counterclaims for potential FDCPA violations if applicable
Review Their Evidence Carefully
Lamont Hanley must prove:
- You actually owe the debt
- The amount they claim is accurate
- They own the debt or have proper authorization to collect it
- The statute of limitations hasn’t expired
- They have a complete chain of documentation from the original creditor
Many debt collectors struggle to provide complete documentation, especially for debts that have been sold multiple times between collection agencies.
Get Legal Representation Immediately
Consumer protection attorneys can identify defenses and counterclaims that may shift the leverage in your favor. If you believe Lamont Hanley has violated the FDCPA during their collection efforts, you may be able to assert counterclaims that could offset or eliminate the debt.
Call The Wood Law Firm at 📲 844-638-1122 for immediate assistance with debt collection lawsuits.
If Lamont Hanley Contacts You About a Paid Debt
If you believe you already paid a debt but Lamont Hanley is still contacting you about it, take these steps:
When collectors contact you about paid debts, you need to act quickly to stop the harassment:
- Request written debt validation
- Gather all payment proof (receipts, cancelled checks, bank statements, settlement letters)
- Send copies of your payment documentation via certified mail with a clear statement that you satisfied this debt
- If they’ve reported it to credit bureaus, file disputes with all three bureaus, providing your payment proof
- If harassment continues after you’ve provided proof of payment, file complaints and consult an attorney
Never make additional payments on debts you believe you already satisfied without consulting a consumer protection attorney first.
How Collection Accounts May Affect Your Credit Score
If you’re concerned about Lamont Hanley’s collection activities affecting your credit, understanding the rules helps you protect yourself:
Debt collectors can potentially damage your credit score by reporting collection accounts, but strict rules govern this process:
Credit Reporting Requirements
Lamont Hanley must:
- Verify the debt is accurate before reporting it to credit bureaus
- Investigate disputes you file within 30 days
- Report the results of investigations to you and the credit bureaus
- Correct or delete inaccurate information promptly
If you believe they’ve reported inaccurate information, you may have claims under both the FDCPA and the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Your Rights to Dispute Credit Report Entries
You can dispute collection accounts directly with all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). The bureaus must investigate within 30 days and remove information they cannot verify is accurate.
How Long Do Collections Stay on Reports
Collection accounts can remain on credit reports for seven years from the original delinquency date—not from when Lamont Hanley acquired the debt or when they first reported it. This seven-year clock cannot be restarted by collection agency activity.
Impact on Credit Scores
Collection accounts typically cause credit scores to drop 50-100+ points or more. However:
- Newer credit scoring models may ignore paid collection accounts
- Medical collection accounts under $500 cannot be reported
- Removing inaccurate collections can quickly improve your credit score
Where to File Complaints Against Lamont Hanley
If you believe Lamont Hanley has violated your rights, multiple agencies accept complaints:
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
File complaints online at consumerfinance.gov. The CFPB investigates patterns of potentially illegal behavior and maintains a public complaint database that helps identify collectors with systemic compliance issues.
Federal Trade Commission
The FTC enforces the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and accepts consumer complaints. While they may not intervene in individual cases, patterns of complaints can trigger investigations and enforcement actions.
New Hampshire Attorney General
Since Lamont Hanley operates from New Hampshire, complaints to the state Attorney General may trigger state-level investigations. Contact the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Bureau to file complaints.
Better Business Bureau
BBB complaints create public records that warn other consumers. Reviewing Lamont Hanley’s BBB profile can also show you patterns of complaints from other consumers who may have had similar experiences.
Real Client Success Stories
Case 1: Stopping Workplace Harassment
Patricia received calls from Lamont Hanley at her workplace 2-3 times weekly for over a month. She had clearly informed them during the first workplace call that her employer prohibited personal calls and such contact was inconvenient. Despite this notification, the calls continued.
After Patricia contacted The Wood Law Firm, we documented 12 workplace calls occurring after her clear notification that such contact was prohibited. We immediately stopped all contact and negotiated a $3,400 settlement for the potential FDCPA violations. Patricia’s case resolved within six weeks of our involvement.
Case 2: Time-Barred Debt Collection Ended
Michael received increasingly aggressive calls from Lamont Hanley about a debt that was more than six years old. Michael researched his state’s statute of limitations and believed the debt was time-barred, meaning Lamont Hanley could no longer legally sue him for it.
Despite Michael explaining this, the collectors continued calling and threatening lawsuits. The Wood Law Firm verified the statute of limitations had indeed expired, sent a cease-and-desist letter, and pursued legal action for the continued collection attempts on a time-barred debt. We obtained a $2,800 settlement for Michael and stopped all harassment permanently.
Case 3: Data Breach Identity Theft Recovery
After receiving a breach notification letter from Lamont Hanley in May 2024, Jennifer discovered three fraudulent credit card accounts opened using her Social Security number and date of birth—information that was exposed in the breach.
Jennifer spent dozens of hours closing the fraudulent accounts, filing police reports, disputing credit report entries, and dealing with creditors. The Wood Law Firm helped her document all time and expenses related to addressing the identity theft. We obtained $4,500 in compensation for her time, expenses, and emotional distress. She also joined the class action lawsuit for potential additional recovery.
About The Wood Law Firm
The Wood Law Firm has defended consumers against abusive debt collection practices and data breaches for over 15 years. We focus exclusively on cases involving the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, and Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
Our Approach to Client Service
We understand that debt collector harassment and data breaches create real stress and anxiety in your daily life. Our team provides compassionate, personalized representation while aggressively pursuing maximum compensation for potential violations. Every client works directly with experienced attorneys who thoroughly understand federal and state consumer protection laws.
Jeff Wood: Lead Attorney
Jeff Wood brings over 15 years of consumer protection experience to every case he handles. Licensed to practice in Arkansas, he represents clients in federal courts across Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. His extensive federal court experience includes successfully handling cases involving debt collectors like Lamont Hanley Associates.
Our Nationwide Legal Network
The Wood Law Firm maintains Of Counsel relationships with attorneys licensed in Arizona, California, Florida, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and West Virginia. This extensive network ensures we can provide comprehensive representation regardless of where you live.
Our Track Record and Reputation
- A+ Better Business Bureau rating maintained since our founding
- Hundreds of successful FDCPA and FCRA cases resolved through settlement and litigation
- Millions of dollars recovered in consumer damages and statutory penalties
- Zero upfront costs—all cases handled on a contingency fee basis
- Direct attorney access throughout your entire case
Why Clients Choose Our Firm
No Upfront Costs: You pay nothing unless we win your case. Federal law requires violators to pay your attorney fees and damages.
Proven Results: We’ve successfully handled numerous cases involving debt collectors and data breach situations, securing favorable settlements and judgments for our clients.
Personal Service: You communicate directly with your attorney, not paralegals or administrative staff. We keep you fully informed at every stage of your case.
National Reach: Our Of Counsel network provides experienced representation across multiple states and federal court jurisdictions.
Aggressive Advocacy: We pursue maximum compensation while protecting your rights throughout every phase of your case.
Take Action Today to Protect Your Rights
If you believe Lamont Hanley Associates may be violating your rights through harassment or if you were affected by their data breach, don’t wait to seek help.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Now
Call 📲 844-638-1122 to speak with experienced consumer protection attorneys. During your free, no-obligation consultation, we will:
- Review your situation in complete detail at absolutely no cost to you
- Help you understand whether the conduct you’ve experienced may violate federal law
- Identify specific potential FDCPA violations or data breach damages
- Explain all your legal options clearly and completely
- Stop any ongoing harassment immediately upon retention
- Pursue maximum compensation through settlement negotiations or litigation
Important Time Limits Apply: FDCPA claims generally must be filed within one year of the violation. Data breach claims also have specific statutes of limitations that vary by state. Don’t delay—contact us today to ensure your rights are fully protected.
Whether you’re facing potential harassment, received a data breach notification letter, or both, you deserve experienced legal representation that understands your rights and fights for maximum recovery on your behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if Lamont Hanley Associates calls me?
If Lamont Hanley contacts you, request that they send written verification of the debt within five days as required by the FDCPA. Don’t acknowledge the debt or make any payments until you receive and carefully verify the validation documentation. Document every call with dates, times, phone numbers used, and detailed notes about what was said.
Can Lamont Hanley call me at my workplace?
If you inform them that your employer prohibits personal calls at work or that workplace contact is inconvenient for you, they must stop calling you there immediately. If they continue workplace calls after you’ve made this clear, it may violate federal law and you should consult a consumer protection attorney.
How do I file a complaint against Lamont Hanley Associates?
You can file complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at consumerfinance.gov, the Federal Trade Commission, the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Bureau, and the Better Business Bureau. For potential legal action, contact The Wood Law Firm at 844-638-1122 for a free consultation.
Can Lamont Hanley garnish my wages without a court judgment?
Generally no, except for certain federal debts like student loans or taxes. For most debts, they must first file a lawsuit, serve you with notice, win a court judgment, and obtain a garnishment order. If they’re threatening immediate wage garnishment without mentioning a lawsuit or judgment, this could potentially be a false threat that violates federal law.
How do I stop Lamont Hanley from calling me completely?
Send them a written cease-and-desist letter via certified mail with return receipt clearly stating you demand no further contact regarding the alleged debt. After receiving your letter, they can only contact you to confirm they’ll stop collection efforts or to notify you of specific legal actions they’re actually filing. Continued contact after receiving your cease-and-desist may violate federal law.
What should I document if I believe I’m being harassed?
Keep detailed records of all contact, including dates and times of calls, phone numbers they called from, names of collectors you spoke with, complete details of what was said during calls, any threats or statements you believe may be false, voicemail messages (save recordings), and all written communications. This documentation provides critical evidence if you decide to file complaints or pursue legal action.
Can Lamont Hanley discuss my debt with my family members or friends?
Generally no. Debt collectors cannot discuss your debt with anyone other than you, your spouse, or your attorney. If you believe they’ve shared debt information with family members, friends, neighbors, or your employer without your permission, this may violate your privacy rights under the FDCPA and you should consult an attorney immediately.
What are the potential penalties if Lamont Hanley violates the FDCPA?
If a court finds that Lamont Hanley has violated the FDCPA, you may be entitled to statutory damages up to $1,000 (even if you can’t prove actual harm), plus any actual damages you suffered such as emotional distress or lost wages, and the debt collector must pay your attorney’s fees and court costs.
How do I know if Lamont Hanley is a legitimate debt collector?
Legitimate debt collectors must provide written validation within five days of first contact, including the debt amount, original creditor’s name, and your rights to dispute. They should be licensed to collect debts in your state. Always request written verification before making any payments to ensure you’re dealing with a legitimate collector.
What should I do if I was affected by the Lamont Hanley data breach?
If you received a breach notification letter, immediately activate the free credit monitoring service offered, review all three credit reports for unauthorized accounts, place fraud alerts with credit bureaus, consider placing credit freezes, monitor all financial accounts closely, and consult with attorneys handling the class action lawsuit to understand your rights and potential compensation.
Why should I contact The Wood Law Firm about this situation?
We specialize in stopping debt collector harassment and handling data breach cases. With over 15 years of experience and an A+ BBB rating, we offer free consultations, work on contingency (you pay nothing unless we win), and have successfully handled cases involving Lamont Hanley and similar collectors. Call 844-638-1122 today for immediate help.
