Navy Federal Credit Union is a retail credit union in the US and provides mortgages, credit cards and investments, etc. to consumers. Membership is provided to Department of Defense employees, active, serving or retired, and family members like spouses, siblings, grandchildren, etc.
How can a credit union harass consumers?
Navy Federal Credit Union is there to help with financial assistance in the form of credit and loans, right? Correct. But harassment could take place when collection of loans and overdue debt payments starts, resulting in stress and trauma to the consumer.
Review the following client responses for harassment suffered due to Navy Federal Credit Union debt collection practices:
“…After leaving several messages for my client at work, an NFCU employee finally threatened contact the HR department at my client’s employer and actually did end up leaving a message for the HR department…”
“…NFCU was still calling my neighbors and my family to harass me. They repeatedly called my in-laws, siblings and mother. I’m sure that they called others because most people would not probably want to add to my own embarrassment by telling me about their NFCU calls…”
“…According to a rep at NCUA, AEA claims that they have a different document. I have requested these documents from AEA and they have not responded…”
Each of the above is behavior that is not acceptable, legally, for a debt collector. These are testimonials taken from online sources where consumers of Navy Federal Credit Union have spoken about the harassment they have faced as a result of debt collection practices.
What is illegal behavior?
Debt collection activities are governed by law. This is to ensure consumers do not suffer undue trauma or stress or even nuisance. When collectors overstep these bounds, and if they are reported and found to be violating the law, they can be sued for harassment.
In the examples provided above, the Navy Federal Credit Union has violated critical guidelines on fair debt collection practices resulting in harassment. Following is a list of practices that are illegal for debt collectors:
- Calling consumers insistently for debt collection purposes. Calling them at any odd hour, including very early in the morning and late in the night.
- If the consumer has registered their number in the national Do Not Call registry, companies and entities have to honor it. Unless explicitly stated, these numbers cannot be called.
- Informing or leaving messages about the overdue debt with people other than the consumer. This includes relatives of the consumer.
- Not identifying themselves or the entity on whose behalf they are calling.
- Talking in an intimidating manner with the consumer to confuse them and pressure them into parting with their assets to pay the overdue debt amount.
- Calling a consumer repeatedly without verifying if the debt is indeed owed by them. Not bothering to listen to them if they are trying to communicate something to this effect.
- Threatening the consumer with legal action when it is not applicable.
Stop harassment from Navy Federal Credit Union debt collection now.
Consumers are protected by the law, namely the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Telephone Consumers Protection Act in the form of guidelines for debt collection, as listed above. However, the consumer too needs to take active steps to protect themselves.
- Report the harassment. If you can find out the identity of the collectors, write to their organization to stop the harassing communication.
- In the meantime, find out as many details of the overdue debt as you can. Do you really owe it? What was the time period? What is the overdue amount, etc. This way, you can find out if there are inconsistencies in what the debt collectors are telling you.
- Understand that you have rights and stand safeguarded from harassment. Keep a track of the calls made, start recording conversations and keep proofs and copies of written communication from both sides.
- Register your number on the national Do Not Call registry.
More importantly, call a legal professional to help you find a solution and put a stop to the traumatizing behavior.
Attorneys and lawyers conversant with consumer protection laws can help guide you with the legal process. Further, if you indeed owe the debt, but are facing harassment from Navy Federal Credit Union due to unfair collection practices, you are entitled to compensation.
About Us
Legal Rights Advocates, PLLC is a law firm that helps clients who are facing harassment from debt collectors, including from Navy Federal Credit Union. Our team of debt harassment lawyers , over the years, has helped countless clients get protections from debt collection practices that are deemed as unlawful and illegal.
If you are interested in learning more about how to safeguard yourself better from debt harassment, call us at (855) 254-7841 for immediate assistance.
(855) 254-7841
(855) 254-7841
