Debt Collectors Turn To Facebook

Those facing credit card debt and other outstanding payments may wish to avoid Facebook, a new report says.

More debt collection agencies are turning to the popular social network when traditional methods such as knocking on doors and calling the phone, fail to garner responses.

"Right now, what we're seeing is the use of Facebook to harass people and abuse people in mass," Bill Howard, an attorney, told Tampa Bay's Fox 13 News. "It's modern day thuggery. It's a way to harass people into paying money by utilizing one of the most powerful tools in our history."

One company in Florida allegedly harassed a local woman, Melanie Beachman, the news source says. Beachman reports the financial company sent repeated Facebook messages to herself and family members, while trying to repossess her vehicle.

Some steps consumers can take to avoid the harassment are blocking unwanted friends and limiting access to their important information such as an address or phone number, Fox reports.

Beachman has since filed a lawsuit against the company, suing for pain and suffering. However, the case will raise questions about the legal extent organizations can go to in order to collect debts.