BCR collection agency is calling me looking for someone else...?

Question

BCR collection agency is continually calling my house wanting to speak to a person who doesn't leave here and I don't know. I have told them over and over and over that I don't know this person and to please stop calling. They continue to call 3 times a day once @ 8am, then again around 12:30pm, and finally at 6pm. I'm a college student and full time employee and it's really frustrating having my phone ring nonstop from this collection agency. WHAT CAN I DO?

Answer 1

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act prevents harassment by bill collectors. It is a federal law so it applies to all 50 states. Section 806 specifies that "a debt collector may not engage in repeated personal contacts with a consumer with such frequency as to harass him".

Notify the collector in writing that you wants all communications stopped, they must cease. This includes both phone and mail contact. Get a return receipt so that you can prove that your letter was received by the collection agency.

Some bill collectors are persistent despite the law. According to the Federal Trade Commission approximately 500 consumers complained that notifying the collectors didn't stop the calls. If you have this problem she can get relief by contacting the FTC (1-877-FTC-HELP

Answer 2

Next time they call, ask to speak with a supervisor, then explain what is happening, ask for their address and send a written letter stating that you are not the person they are looking for. I would also check and contact the 3 main credit reporting agencies (equifax, etc.) to ensure that this collection agency has not placed anything on your credit report which will ultimately hurt your credit...they may be able to advise you as to resolution as well...unfortunately it happens all the time especially to people with common names...and just keep in mind that many people who really owe the money probably tell the agencies that they are not the person they are looking for.