Dirty Trick From a Debt Collector...?

Question

This is more of a story than a question. I am about to declare bankruptcy (have tried debt counseling to no avail). But here is the story. I signed up for a debt settlement place. I had the collectors calling my house in the beginning. This one collection agency kept calling me at work & at home. I finally changed my number. Prior to this all mail was coming to me personally because I was the primary user on the credit card and my spouse was only an auth user. I know my spouse is not responsible for the debt only being an authorized user from talking to a lawyer. This debt collection agency got mad I changed my phone number so started to call my in laws house. They even changed my address to my inlaws address and started to send all of my mail to them. Then when they were still not getting any response they then added my spouses name to the mailings. This account when with the org debtor was only in my name and all mailings just came to me. This shows just shows hot spineless they are.

I never hid from them. I was being harassed and NO I did not put my inlaws information anywhere on the applications because they were only in my name with my phone number and my address. They pulled their phone number and address off of the internet since we live in the same town.

And instead of being so nasty towards me, you dont know the circumstances that led to me having to make this overwhelming decision.

They are not willing to make payment arrangements, have been charging nearly 40% interest and more. So please dont lecture me.

I was sharing a valid story for those who are being harassed by debt collectors as well.

I have seen a lawyer and will be filing bankruptcy next week. I have no choice. I have loss of income and lots of student loans etc.

I also had an agency sue me although I WAS working with them and paying WAY more than a monthly payment would have been till I lost my job. Now I just can't keep up on one income.

I was just trying to share a story. I also did file complaints with the BBB, Attorney General, and FTC too.

I hate when people try to make you feel like scum for having hard times when they dont' know what you have been through.

They are not allowed due to the Fair Debt Collection Practice to send any of your mail to anyone other than yourself. Also, they are only allowed to call a relative ONCE and if that person says I dont know dont call here again, they are not allowed to call them again. They harassed my in laws & sent many letters to their house. This was UNLAWFUL according to the Federal Debt Collection act there. I am not spineless for declaring bankruptcy. I can not pay them off. I have tried every avenue from debt settlement. In fact I called two different credit counseling places last spring and BOTH of them told me to declare bankruptcy but I wouldnt do it due to this stigma I had about it all too and how others make you feel about doing it. Now after trying this settlement business, I now know that the credit counseling place was right. Plus there was nothing frivolous on the cards- no trips, no toys, no fancy clothes- it was living..food, elec bills, etc. Only if you lose a job do you understand

Answer 1

Hey, good for you. You did the right thing and you also did right by sharing your story in this forum. That took guts and I admire you for that. Good luck.

Answer 2

Two laws protect consumers from abusive debt collectors: the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, a federal law; and the California Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The federal law applies only to third party collection agencies, or those agencies collecting debts on behalf of original credit grantors. The California law applies to both original creditors and collection agencies.

Your most powerful weapon against a collection agency under the federal law is to write a letter asking them to stop trying to contact you, although this doesn't mean you don't owe the debt. If the agency continues to harass you, it is in violation of the federal law. It can communicate with you only to inform you that it plans to take actual legal steps.

I agree, they are spineless.

Answer 3

Here's a site that will help you out. It lists reasons why you can sue the collection agencies. On the other menu tabs in the site is helpful tips of advice and sample letters to send to creditors. There is one for asking them not to contact you.

Answer 4

get them to prove the debt. ask them to send some papers explaining every charge. tell them its in dispute,ask them for the total balance borrowed before fees and will they accept that as a settlement.tell them you need their address and phone number.tell them to stop calling you and stop sending bills to address other than yours.remind them that its nobodys business but yours what you owe.remind them that telling other folks about your finances is a violation of the law.

Answer 5

Sorry, but this is not a question.
How does this make them spineless? Sneaky, perhaps, but within their rights under the law. They already have to jump through a bunch of hoops due to the FDCPA, but they are still allowed to send mail anywhere they believe you will get it, and to call your in laws to try and find you.
In fact, I think people who file bankruptcy are the ones who are spineless. Spineless thieves. You bought it, you owe the money, pay it. I admit I have gotten into some trouble with credit cards, but I know I owe the money and there is no way I would ever go back on my word and not pay my bill off

Answer 6

It is the debt collectors job to collect money from people who are not paying their bills. They do all they can before bringing charges. You say you went to a lawyer, but you don't say what that outcome was. If you owe money it is your adult responsibility to pay it, make arrangements to pay it in installments if necessary. But PAY IT!

Answer 7

don't listen to pk. don't pay them a cent until they provide validation. Even after that, make sure its validation and not verification. Also check the sol in your state they might not even be able to come after you.

Answer 8

So let me get this right......

You admit that you owe them money........
You admit that you changed your number in an effort to hide.....
You admit that YOU listed your inlaws information on the app....


And THEY are the spineless ones????

You have an interesting take on reality!!!

Contact the people that you owe money too and make payment arrangements. You might actually be surprised at how willing they will be to work with you.