If your credit problems have progressed to the point where your creditors have turned your case over to collection agencies, it is important to know your legal rights. Collection agencies are not allowed to do the following:

• call your office
• call your home before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
• address you in an abusive manner
• call family or friends in an attempt to collect your debt

Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, debt collectors cannot harass you. If any of the above is happening to you, tell the collection agency to stop harassing you. If it continues, ask for its name and address and report it to the Better Business Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission or your state's attorney general's office. These numbers can be found in your telephone book or by calling directory assistance.