2006-07-01 12:48:17 · 8 answers · asked by UserJoe9 3 in Business & Finance ➔ Credit
Ask them to provide written documentation verifying the debt.
They must provide that by law and keep good track of it.
Then you should know that you can always settle with them, often for a fraction of what they really want (I'd start out with an offer of like 20 cents on the dollar or less if its really old AND I had the cash).
Just be sure if you settle that you get it IN WRITING that such settlement is considered payment in full for the original debt so they can't sell the balance to someone else.
2006-07-01 14:51:05 · answer #1 · answered by Lori A 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the first poster, never give out sensitive info to anyone in those situations.
If the collector asks for that info tell them if they have the debt, they should also already have that info.
If this is the first time the collector is contacting you regarding a debt, they have 5 days after calling you to mail you a collection letter. I would suggest waiting the 5 days to see if they do send a letter. If they do send one, or not, I would suggest sending a debt validation letter.
You might check out the site that I've listed. It is a "free" do it yourself credit repair site.
2006-07-01 14:00:17 · answer #2 · answered by echo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A debt collector will give you their first and last name and the name of the company. They will verify your address and phone numbers (so they can get ahold of you again). They will not ask for anything other than that. They will however start to ask when you will pay. They can only speak with you 1 time per day.
2006-07-01 14:55:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The 1st thing you want to do is get the name and phone number of the agency they are from, the name of the person calling, the company they are collecting for and the amount they are saying you owe. Call the company they said they are collecting for to verify they use that company and that you were turned over to them. Ask them for a phone number for the company then call the collection agency back and ask if they have a person by the name of the one who called you. A lot of 3rd party collection agencies will use scare tactics to make you pay. DO NOT LET THEM THREATEN YOU. Make arrangements to pay what you can and stick to those arrangements.
2006-07-01 13:04:09 · answer #4 · answered by Donna S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have the agency send you copies of the bills they are attempting to collect on along with their company letterhead with contact information. You can also call the company they are collecting for to verify that they have been hired by them.
2006-07-01 12:53:48 · answer #5 · answered by Sean P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Never give personal info (social security numbers, credit card numbers, etc) out over the phone. Ask for everything in writing.
2006-07-01 12:52:03 · answer #6 · answered by jamie5987 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if they are legitimate, they will tell you what you owe and who you owe it to. Hopefully you know who you owe money to and how much, but I guess anything's possible.
2006-07-01 12:53:57 · answer #7 · answered by Firstd1mension 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A big clue is whether or not you owe somebody money.
2006-07-01 12:53:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋