2006-11-27 08:16:22 · 7 answers · asked by 1authority 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Credit
No, they can't "threaten" you. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, they can't threaten physical violence (obviously), or threaten to take any action that can't be legally taken or that they don't actually intend to take (ie, either do it or shut up about it). They can't make any false representations at all. They also can't use abusive or profane language.
They can't even contact you in any way (other than for litigation) after you've given them written notice not to. Here is a sample of the letter you would send:
http://credit.about.com/od/debtcollection/a/ceasedesist.htm
2006-11-27 09:40:42 · answer #1 · answered by EQ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell them to go jump in the lake. Once an account goes to collections, paying it won't make your credit any better. Tell them to validate the debt - which they probably can't - and exercise your rights under the FCRA. If they threaten to sue you tell them you are getting a lawyer and you will sue THEM. Send them a C&D (cease and desist) letter and they will most likely leave you alone. Tons of people pay money to collection agencies purely because they are threatened. You don't owe them (they bought the debt) and you don't have to pay them. Their only recourse is to threaten you.
2006-11-27 15:04:16 · answer #2 · answered by Kevin K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
oh they can threaten you, but the only way they can do anything is sue you...threaten them back>>>tell them to help work out a deal to payback or you will be forced to file bankruptcy...then tell them that you also want to cancel the card and that you are gonna cut up the one you have.....watch the fine print on your cards, they will jump the interest up on you sky high...this is what kills you....cut all your cards up, they are killing hard working americans, not helping us..how do you think they have all these big buildings? they make tons of money off of peoples sweat
2006-11-27 09:12:45 · answer #3 · answered by ronnie b 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, and they can harass you till you pay. If you owe people money get it taken care of and life will get better and better. No reason for you to stiff anyone !!! Set up a payment plan... that is what they are there for. Stick to it and get it taken care of. YOU are your reason for having a hard time of it. How you handle life's situations is completely UP TO YOU.
Owe no one and life is fabulous !!
2006-11-27 10:28:57 · answer #4 · answered by Kitty 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure they can threaten you, and ruin your credit rating. Best to work out some kind of payment plan and pay them off.
2006-11-27 08:39:45 · answer #5 · answered by Tim 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Look this over:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_Debt_Collection_Practices_Act
They have to sue you, and only after you have refused to pay, there may be some strange legal definition here of what refusing to pay is.
They are supposed to work out a way for you to pay them back that you can agree on.
2006-11-27 08:32:51 · answer #6 · answered by Eric M 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Go to see a credit counselor. I think they can help you the most.
2006-11-30 14:14:06 · answer #7 · answered by antwon c 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋