There are collection agencies contacting a relative of mine trying to reach me. I just wanted to know how they manage to find out who my relatives are? I have a very common last name, so could they possibly be calling everyone in my state with the same last name? Or do they actually have some type of proof that so and so is my relative? Thanks in advance!
2006-12-13 23:12:08 · 6 answers · asked by Swooned 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Credit
I forgot to mention that my relatives have no relation to my debt. They were never co-signers or ever listed with any of my finances.
2006-12-13 23:25:06 · update #1
I haven't checked that zabasearch site that the first answerer gave, but one can get a lot of information about someone from the internet. The way they probably got it though, like the 2nd person said, you may have given it to the creditor without realizing it. When you fill out a credit app there is always a line that asks "in case of emergency, name of relative not living with you, (or something similar) like that. Another one too, is "Mothers Maiden Name", that way they know both of your familys surnames. Once a collection agency has your account, they will go all out trying to find you. Even with a common name, like Jane Smith, they will cold call all the Smiths near where they think you are and act like they are a long lost friend looking for you. Most of the time, relatives will gladly oblige and will unknowingly give you up. I know it's a tough situation you are in, I've been there myself. Best thing to do is to try to straighten your credit problems out, even if you have to bite the bullet for awhile. I'm in decent financial shape now, but whenever I fill out any type of credit application, I make up a relative and give a phony Mothers Maiden Name. Good luck to you.
2006-12-13 23:41:18 · answer #1 · answered by Julie A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the relative has the same last name and their phone number is listed in the phonebook for starters.
If you listed then as another family member on your credit application. That is a common credit application question or at least it used to be.
IF you live in the United States:
They can tell the collection agency not to call their number. There is a federal law that says the collection agency must note that and stop calling that phone number. It has teeth in it.
They can simply give the collection agency your number
They can hang up on them, but I would say "Wrong Number" before doing so. You do not want the collector to record that you hung up on them in your file0
2006-12-14 08:17:11 · answer #2 · answered by Jeff H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They may know who your relatives are...but that does not mean they have any right to contact them regarding your debt. If you live in the USA, you are protected under the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act. For more information, see this website for details...
http://www.creditmanagementworld.com/legal.html
2006-12-14 19:45:09 · answer #3 · answered by nickdc1960 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Either they take a shot in the dark with a phone book, or with some loans, you are asked to list the relative that lives closest to you.
2006-12-14 07:20:43 · answer #4 · answered by F T 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your question is very timely, an attorney friend of mine sent me an e-mail regarding this web site www.zabasearch.com
This thing is down right scary, you can find out all sorts of personal info on anyone for a fee
2006-12-14 07:15:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are people who are called skip tracers. that is all they do is look for people who are not paying their bills. they have their ways of finding out who your relatives are. You may have even given that information when you filled out applications. All applications ask for nearest relative, name, address and phone number. Don't you remember that section of the applications you filled out?
2006-12-16 03:05:38 · answer #6 · answered by luciousgreeneyedlady 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋