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Don’t fall prey to false bill collectors

admin • Sep 26, 2013

Consumers across America are being contacted by unlawful collection agencies. Bill collectors are posing as police officers who threaten to lock up consumers for debts for they do not owe.

A recent good morning America segment that told a story of a women who was scared so badly when false bill collectors told her she would be locked up and never see her family again that she gave them $2,000 over the phone.

In my job as a credit advisor, I had clients across the country tell me they were advised debt or deported for not for not paying their debts. Some were even told they would be arrested at their place of employment.

Remember, a bill collector cannot threaten to do something they cannot legally do, nor have intention of doing. This is a violation of fair Debt and Collection Practices Act. Also a bill collector cannot a message on your answering machine or with your family or friends that owe you debt. This is another violation of your rights.

Many bill collectors will leave a message they are calling about certain case number, then give you the number, when in fact this is really the account number. This is unlawful. A case number is connected to an already filled court action, so if a bill collector calls about a case number, it is unlawful to refer this way unless the agency or law office is collecting on a case already filed.

How do you know if the collection agency is real? A bill collector, upon contact with a consumer, must first identify themselves and what company they are calling from. They also, upon request, have to give the consumer a full accounting of debt on letterhead to validate a company as well as the debt. This is a good way to prove or disapprove the legitimacy of a company collecting debt. A consumer may also contact the New Mexico attorney general’s office to have a company checked out.

Remember, if you think your rights have been violated and you are unsure, you can call Credit Rescue Now and get free advice over the phone, or you can come to Credit Education Classes where you will get a free manual on your rights. Until next time good credit to you.

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