A debt collector can make your phone feel like a threat. The calls come at work, the voicemails sound urgent, and the letters warn of trouble if you don't pay today. If this is happening to you in San Antonio or anywhere in Bexar County, the law gives you real ways to push back.
Texas Debt Law helps consumers use two laws against collectors who cross the line: the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the Texas Debt Collection Act. Attorney Shawn Jaffer has handled thousands of debt collection lawsuits in Texas, and the firm offers a free case review so you can find out where you stand.
What Collector Harassment Looks Like
Harassment is not always loud. Sometimes it is a steady pattern meant to wear you down. People who reach out to us often describe things like these:
- Call after call, day after day, even after you explained you can't pay right now.
- A caller who yells, curses or talks down to you.
- Threats of jail, arrest or "criminal charges" over an unpaid credit card.
- Warnings that your paycheck will be garnished. In Texas, current wages cannot be garnished for ordinary consumer debts.
- Calls to your mother, your neighbor or your supervisor about what you owe.
- A balance that suddenly grew, or a debt you already paid or never had.
Any one of these can be a sign that a collector broke the law. You don't need to be sure. That is what a case review is for.
Two Laws on Your Side
The federal FDCPA
The FDCPA applies to third-party debt collectors and debt buyers, such as Midland Credit Management, Portfolio Recovery Associates or LVNV Funding. It bans harassment, false or misleading statements, unfair practices, and talking to other people about your debt.
The Texas Debt Collection Act
The FDCPA usually does not reach a bank collecting its own account. Texas law fills that gap. The Texas Debt Collection Act (Texas Finance Code chapter 392) also covers original creditors, so a lender's own collection department can be held to account too. Texas law also bars suing on consumer debt that is too old, and a payment on a time-barred debt does not restart the clock. Our statute of limitations guide explains more.
Many cases involve both laws. We look at who contacted you and what they did, then decide which claims fit.
Start Your Record Today
Good records turn "they keep bothering me" into proof. Start now, even if you are not sure you want to take action:
- A call log. Write down the date, time, phone number, company name and the caller's name for every call.
- Notes on what was said. Jot down threats or promises right after the call, while they are fresh.
- Voicemails. Save them, and do not delete them from your phone.
- Letters and envelopes. Keep every page, plus the envelope it came in.
- Texts, emails and screenshots. Save them somewhere safe.
- Names of people the collector contacted. Ask relatives, coworkers or your employer what they were told.
What You Can Recover
Under the FDCPA, a court can award your actual damages, such as lost pay or the stress the collector caused, plus statutory damages of up to $1,000. The collector can also be ordered to pay your attorney's fees and court costs.
Under the Texas Debt Collection Act, remedies include actual damages, an order (injunctive relief) to stop the conduct, and attorney's fees. Every case is different, and no one can promise a result. But these laws were written so that people can afford to enforce them.
You Have One Year to File an FDCPA Claim
An FDCPA lawsuit must be filed within one year from the violation. A threatening call from last spring could be close to the edge. If something happened months ago, don't wait to ask about it.
Where San Antonio Cases Are Heard
FDCPA claims for Bexar County residents are usually filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, San Antonio Division. Claims under Texas law can also be brought in Texas state courts. We will explain which court makes sense for your situation.
How Texas Debt Law Handles Your Claim
- Free review. You tell us what happened and share what you've saved. We tell you honestly whether we see a claim.
- The collector deals with us. Once we represent you, we let the collector know that you have a lawyer.
- We build the case. We match your call log, letters and voicemails to the rules the collector broke.
- We pursue your claim. That may mean a demand, settlement talks or a lawsuit in state or federal court.
If the same collector is also suing you, we can defend that case too. See our San Antonio debt defense page and our flat-fee pricing, which starts at $400 with payment plans available.
San Antonio FDCPA Questions
Do I need to live in Bexar County to work with you?
No. Texas Debt Law serves clients statewide. Our office is in Frisco, and most of the work can be done by phone, text and email.
I really do owe the debt. Can I still have a claim?
Yes. The FDCPA is about how a collector behaves, not whether you owe the money. Owing a debt does not give anyone the right to harass or mislead you.
A collector told my family about my debt. Is that allowed?
Contacting third parties about your debt is one of the things the FDCPA prohibits. Write down who was contacted and when, and call us.
Can I talk to someone in Spanish?
Yes. The firm speaks Spanish, so you can explain what happened in the language you are most comfortable with.
Get a Free Case Review
You don't have to put up with abusive collection calls. Call or text (214) 945-0000, or fill out our free case evaluation. To learn more about these claims across the state, visit our Texas FDCPA attorneys page.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Talk to a lawyer about your own situation.
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General information, not legal advice for your case.