The truth about Rent A Center and the law
Greetings readers! If you’ve ever rented anything from Rent-A-Center, you might have wondered if they can call the police on you for not paying your bills. This is a common concern among consumers who rent from them. We’re here to give you the facts about Rent-A-Center’s policies and how they relate to the law.
Introduction
Rent-A-Center is one of the largest rent-to-own companies in the United States. They offer items such as furniture, electronics, and appliances for rent on a weekly or monthly basis. Rent-A-Center is known for their flexible payment plans, but they also have strict policies when it comes to missed payments.
One of the most common questions that people ask about Rent-A-Center is whether or not they can call the police on you for not making your payments. This is a valid concern, as nobody wants to be in trouble with the law for something as simple as not paying their bills. In this article, we will look at whether or not Rent-A-Center can legally involve the police in this situation.
The Truth About Rent-A-Center Policies
First, it’s important to understand Rent-A-Center’s policies about missed payments. If you fall behind on your payments, Rent-A-Center will try to contact you to arrange a new payment plan or to collect the item back. If you do not respond to their attempts to get in touch with you, they will likely send a letter threatening legal action. However, Rent-A-Center is not legally allowed to involve the police in this situation.
Rent-A-Center’s contracts often contain a provision that allows them to use “legal means” to collect past-due payments. However, this does not give them the right to involve the police. Legal means usually refers to Rent-A-Center hiring a collection agency or taking the renter to small claims court. They cannot call the police to take action against someone who has not paid their bills.
The Law on Debt Collection
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that establishes rules for debt collection. Under the FDCPA, debt collectors are prohibited from using excessive or abusive tactics to collect debts. This includes calling the police to collect a debt. Debt collection is a civil matter, not a criminal matter, and as such, the police are not involved in collecting debts.
While Rent-A-Center does have the right to use legal means to collect past-due payments, the police are not one of those legal means. The company can take the renter to court, or hire a collection agency to attempt to recover the debt. They cannot involve the police in the debt collection process.
Can Rent-A-Center Blacklist You?
Another common concern among Rent-A-Center customers is whether or not the company can blacklist them for non-payment. While Rent-A-Center does have the right to report non-payment to credit bureaus, they cannot blacklist you. This means that they cannot prevent you from renting from other companies in the future.
What Happens If You Don’t Pay Rent-A-Center?
If you fall behind on your payments to Rent-A-Center, they will try to contact you to make new arrangements. If you do not respond, they may eventually take legal action against you. This could result in a court judgment against you, which would give Rent-A-Center the right to seize your assets or garnish your wages to pay off the debt.
It’s important to note that going to court is a last resort for Rent-A-Center. The company would much rather work out a payment plan with you than take you to court. However, if you do not respond to their attempts to contact you, legal action may be the next step.
Table: Can Rent-A-Center Call the Police?
| Can Rent-A-Center call the police? | What can they legally do? | What happens if you don’t pay your bills? |
|---|---|---|
| No | Take legal action against the renter, such as hiring a collection agency or taking them to court. | Take legal action against the renter, possibly resulting in a judgment against them and the seizure of assets or wage garnishment. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can Rent-A-Center call the police?
A: No, they cannot legally involve the police in debt collection.
Q: Can Rent-A-Center blacklist me for non-payment?
A: No, they cannot prevent you from renting from other companies in the future.
Q: What happens if I don’t pay Rent-A-Center?
A: They will attempt to contact you to make new arrangements. If you do not respond, they may eventually take legal action against you.
Q: Can Rent-A-Center take me to court?
A: Yes, if you do not respond to their attempts to contact you, they may take legal action against you.
Q: What is Rent-A-Center’s policy on missed payments?
A: They will try to contact you to arrange a new payment plan or to collect the item back.
Q: What does “legal means” mean in Rent-A-Center’s contracts?
A: This usually refers to hiring a collection agency or taking the renter to small claims court.
Q: Can Rent-A-Center garnish my wages?
A: If they obtain a court judgment against you, they may be able to garnish your wages to pay off the debt.
Q: What is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act?
A: It is a federal law that establishes rules for debt collection.
Q: Can debt collectors use abusive tactics to collect debts?
A: No, they are prohibited from using excessive or abusive tactics to collect debts.
Q: Is debt collection a criminal matter?
A: No, it is a civil matter.
Q: Can Rent-A-Center report non-payment to credit bureaus?
A: Yes, they can report non-payment to credit bureaus.
Q: Can Rent-A-Center prevent me from renting from other companies?
A: No, they cannot blacklist you or prevent you from renting from other companies.
Q: What should I do if I can’t make my Rent-A-Center payments?
A: Contact Rent-A-Center as soon as possible to make new arrangements. Ignoring the problem will only make it worse.
Q: Can Rent-A-Center charge me extra fees for missed payments?
A: Yes, Rent-A-Center can charge late fees and other charges for missed payments.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Rent-A-Center cannot legally involve the police in debt collection. While they can take legal action against you, the police are not involved in the process. It’s important to understand Rent-A-Center’s policies on missed payments and to contact them as soon as possible if you can’t make your payments. Ignoring the problem will only make it worse. Remember, renting from Rent-A-Center is a contractual agreement, and both parties are expected to adhere to the terms of the contract.
Take Action Today
If you’re struggling to make your Rent-A-Center payments, don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact Rent-A-Center today to make new arrangements and avoid legal action. Remember, the company would much rather work out a payment plan with you than take you to court.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. The information in this article may not be applicable to your specific situation. If you have questions about your rights and obligations as a Rent-A-Center customer, you should seek advice from a licensed attorney in your state.