Are attorneys who've been hired to "bring about the collection of" debt bound by all the same rules as CAs? I've got a charged off CC thats been purchased by a big CA, and now they've hired an attorney to collect it for them. Why wouldnt the CA just do their own dirty work? what purpose does it serve for a CA to pay an attorney to help them collect? are they just trying to intimidate me? is it easier for an attorney to collect? They do have to follow all the same rules (FDCPA, etc.) dont they? Has the attorney bought the debt? heres what the letter says: "Our office has been employed by Scumbag CA to bring about the collection of the $$ due on your account. if you would like to make arrangements to pay, blah blah..."
Yes, anyone trying to collect a debt has to follow the same rules. Does the letter have a mini-maranda on it? This is an attempt to collect a debt.....etc.
1) In my own experience, the lawyers are hacks and could not make a living practicing "real" law. 2) There can be just one lawyer and a lot of staff. 3) Seeing a law firm letterhead often scares people. 4) Lawyers are not only bound by the same rules as collection agents, but have additional ethical and legal constraints as officers of the court.
You hit it right on the head. A lot of lawyers got into the collection racket based when the economy went south. Sometimes it's like shootin fish in a barrel. But they are bound by ethics and collection laws.
