Is it Harassment?
I would like to use your series of three collections letters (posted in the Tools area of your web site) in my office, but I have been told by my collections agency that if I mention collections more than once in my letters, I am harassing the patient.If I use your letters, am I harassing the patient?
Question: I would like to use your series of three collections letters (posted in the Tools area of your web site) in my office, but I have been told by my collections agency that if I mention collections more than once in my letters, I am harassing the patient.
If I use your letters, am I harassing the patient?
Answer: Your collections agency is mistaken. I'm assuming that the agency is referring to the Fair Debt Collections Practice Act. You can see a summary of it at:
www.acainternational.org/images/ConsumerResources/yourrightsFDCPA.pdf.
As a practice, you don't have to comply with the Act unless you extend credit (charge patients interest or a finance fee) or otherwise act like a collections agency.
Ask your agency where they got this information and to show you the source.
