How To Stop Debt Collectors From Calling You!
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Oh if only these debt collectors would
stop calling!
Sound familiar?
If you've been a victim of job loss,
medical emergency or other cause of income loss, you may be one
of the millions of individuals facing a pile of debts that you cannot
cover. Miss one or two payments and you can expect to get a call
from a debt collector.
Calls from debt collectors trying to
find you at your place of employment can be humiliating. You may
already be screening your calls, your chest tightening as you realize
it's them - again.
While not every debt collector is unsympathetic
and berating they likely do have to steel themselves for many of
the sad stories given to them as explanations for past due debts.
They are also frequently rewarded for their efforts in collecting
the debt with a commission based on the amount obtained.
It is easy to see why it is not uncommon
for individuals who are already in a desperate state to fear encounters
with the more aggressive collectors who are determined to get their
fees. Here's some info on how to stop debt collectors from calling
you:
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"What Are They Allowed to Do?"
Debt collectors are allowed to contact
you by in person, by mail, by telegram, by fax and by phone; at
home or at work - unless they know your employer would disapprove.
They may also not contact you before
8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. unless you have agreed to the contact at
that time. They must contact your attorney unless you don't have
one. They may then contact other people to find out your telephone
number, work place or address, but in most cases they are not allowed
to inform them that you owe money or contact them more than once.
"What If I Don't Want to be Contacted?"
Whether or not you actually owe a debt
you can write a letter to the collector telling them to stop contact.
They may then contact you only once to inform you that they will
make no further contact or to tell you what action may be taken
against you.
Stopping contact will not clear the
debt. If you do not believe you owe the debt make that clear in
your letter.
"What Can I Do If I Am Harassed?"
The FTC (Federal Trade Commission)
has a Fair Debt Collection policy to protect consumers. Knowing
your rights will put off even the most determined collector since
they already know the law and are pressing you on the assumption
that you don't.
Debt collectors are NOT allowed to
harass, abuse or oppress you or other individuals on your behalf
- that includes obscene language, threats of violence or repeated
calling in an effort to annoy.
They are not allowed to misrepresent
themselves as government agents, attorneys or representing a credit
bureau if they are not. They cannot imply they are sending legal
documents if they aren't or that you've committed a crime, if you
haven't.
They cannot imply legal action, including
seizing property or garnishing wages unless they are legally allowed
and intend to do so.
You can find out more about your rights
from the FTC. If you want to report an agent you can do so by contacting
the FTC or your Attorney General. If they are breaking the law you
have the right to sue.
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