In today’s age, every facility is available at the tip of your fingers through your phone. This includes banking services which can be availed online, and call methods. However, with a phone call becoming an accessible facility, one also risks bank phone harassment.
Banks often call their customers repetitively to promote services and offers or in the name of debt collection. While this may seem to be a professional process, multiple phone calls in a day can be frustrating. A common complaint is against Comenity Bank phone calls, for which the recipients often seek professional support.
The best way to deal with bank phone harassment is to file a case against the bank and its representatives. Your legal rights can protect you from harassment if you are alert and aware.
What Is Bank Phone Harassment?
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Banks such as Comenity banks offer loans and credit card financing, often leading to debt. When this happens, these banks tend to create difficult situations for their customers in the name of debt recovery, often causing harassment and trauma.
One way this is done is through excessive or unwanted phone calls. These calls are not limited to debt collection but include promotional or market research calls.
Multiple calls throughout the day while you are working can overwhelm one, especially if they come from a source you have no contact with. According to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, phone calling by banks is termed as bank phone harassment if they:
- Call more than five times a day
- Use abusive language
- Call before 8 am or after 9 pm
- Threaten you with the intent to physically harm or legally sue you
- Ask for more than is owed
- Call your relatives
- Publicly defame you
- Collate with other debt collectors
How Does Bank Phone Harassment Affect You?
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Concerning bank phone harassment, bankers tend to call you multiple times throughout the day to build pressure for immediate debt payment. Unfortunately, this is often followed by threatening words, which can include threats of public defamation, seizing property, etc.
Furthermore, they may try to manipulate you into giving your property papers as collateral or give you an ultimatum that involves legal action. At the end of the day, this can take a toll on your mental health.
1. Anxiety
Repetitive calling and threats to your livelihood and name can cause anxiety. You may wonder when the next call will come and what will be the following action.
It also results in constant fear of being judged and defamed. One may become anxious about the threats they are bombarded with, anticipating every move of people around them to avoid mishaps.
2. Isolation
A constant fear of being defamed or confronted by officials can cause someone to isolate themselves, be unwilling to share their problems or come across anyone that may harm their stature in society.
3. Irritability
It is common to grow irritable by phone calls if your phone rings multiple times throughout the day, resulting in unfruitful discussions. In addition, discussing or arguing on the same, often false, topic numerous times a day can annoy.
This irritability can also come out in the wrong way or on the wrong person, resulting in damaged relations with your family or peers.
4. Lack Of Focus
Focusing on any task you have at hand can be challenging if you are disturbed by irrelevant or unnecessary phone calls multiple times a day. This causes your quality of work to decline, often affecting your performance in the long run.
5. Stress
Bank phone calls, with their constant interjections and threat, can cause a great deal of stress. In addition, the bankers put you in a difficult position by creating an urgency for payments, where rates are often inflated.
It causes you to rethink your finances, finding ways to save or earn extra money to clear down payments and debt. But, unfortunately, this can also cause you to overwork and lead to burnout eventually.
How To Deal With Bank Phone Harassment
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The psychological effects of bank phone harassment can affect your daily life. The following tips can help deal with the situation mentally:
1. Share Your Situation
Whether it is bank phone call harassment, anything that bothers you mentally is best dealt with when it is shared with someone you trust. Sharing your feelings and emotions can lighten your mental burden.
When you speak to someone about your situation, you can analyze it better. Moreover, they can help you and give you the right advice. It is also advised to talk to a professional therapist.
2. Maintain A Diary
Maintaining a diary in such situations releases your emotions by penning them down and helps keep a record of the threats and calls. This can help prepare you for upcoming calls and also act as a journal when you wish to report the incident.
3. Record The Calls
This step will be helpful when you report the harassment to the authorities. Recording the calls will provide you with evidence, making your case easier and preventing you from undergoing stress while you fight for your rights.
4. Practice Self-Care
Meditation, exercise, practicing hobbies, and spending time with loved ones are ways to indulge in self-care to forego problems.
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5. Ask The Bank To Stop Calling
According to TCPA, banks are required to give customers the option of opting out of calls. This could be done by visiting the bank or writing a letter.
6. Ignore The Calls
If you are disturbed by the calls, avoiding them as far as possible is best. Block the caller if you believe it to be fraudulent, or put them on silent for a while, prioritizing your mental health.
7. File The Harassment
You can file a complaint with the bank if you get numerous calls despite opting out of receiving calls. If no action is taken, take the matter to the local police or concerned authorities and file a complaint for harassment or unfair financial practices.
It is best to hire a lawyer for the same. This is where any recordings and diary entries will prove helpful in building a solid case for you.
Conclusion
Bank phone harassment is a common nuisance today. While a few calls are occasionally required to pass on important information or give reminders, unnecessary, repetitive calls can cause distress.
In such cases, it is best to file a complaint at the bank or hire a lawyer to take legal action against the bank and the caller. You should be aware of your rights to prevent stress due to bank phone harassment.