How do i get rid of bill collectors?

Question

My adult daughter hasn't lived with us for more than 10 years, and whatever bill they are calling about has to be at LEAST that old. I tell them she hasn't lived here in 10 years and because I won't tell them where she is NOW they call and harrass me constantly. They are nasty and rude and insulting. How do these bill collectors try to collect on a debt that is more than 10 years old anyway? Is there something you can do to make them stop calling you if someone TRULY doesnt live at your address any more? By the way I live in Massachusetts if that is relevant.

Answer 1

Julie I just went through this..

Ask them what the debt is, how much it is for, and when it was opened..

Write down what they say and the number they are calling you from and the name of the company they are working for..

Then, call the federal trade commission.. Follow the prompts and it will take you to a investigator who will ask you questions.. Then Get a confirmation number from them before you hang up..

Then call your states attorney generals office and file a report of harrassment with them.. Then last but not least, call an attorney, there are some very good ones out there..
Ask them to give you a name of an attorney who can handle bill collectors.. For each call they make to you, they violate two people.. You and the person they are trying to collect the debt from.. It is called the Fair Credit Act..

For each call it will be 1,000 dollars they must pay you for harrassing you.. Or to your daughter.. They love to make you feel hopeless..

Don't put up with it.. I promise the FTC will write them and/or fine them for breaking the FCA, but document and the attorney who you hire will indeed get the phone records of those who are doing it.. If you have a caller ID, get a good camera and take a picture of the screen, if you have voice mail, retape the voicemail msg on a regular tape for safe keeping.. Only a student loan is collectible after 10 years, so if that is what it is, she is going to have to call them and get it going.. BUT DO NOT HAVE HER CALL THEM!!! OR YOU!!Some of the posters on here know that if you do, the process of collecting starts all over again..

Don't put up with them..

Good Luck..

Answer 2

So basically, it's not your debt and they're calling and annoying you looking for someone who doesn't live there?

Be courteous and discuss the situation with them at great legnth whenever they call. Be sure to talk to them as long as possible. Toward the end of each conversation you might casually ask how much they're spending to talk you about a debt you will never, ever pay. After a while they'll get the point.

Answer 3

I agree with someone above. The collectors aren't calling about 10 year-old bills. Your daughter has rung up some new ones. She used your mailing address/phone number. You can make them quite calling you. But you need to get the big picture about your daughter.

Answer 4

First of all, they can collect on them, period. Second, those bills probably are not 10 years old. Your daughter has given your address as one of her own previous addresses or listed you as a reference. As for how to stop it, send them a registered letter demanding that they not contact you. Keep a copy of the letter and the return receipt. If they continue after that, go to an attorney.

Answer 5

I think your assumption as to the age of the debt is questionable. It's entirely possible that she gave someone that number much more recently.

You need to find out who they are, give them a single warning not to harass you about it and to NEVER call you again, and then call an attorney if they don't comply.

Answer 6

well its your residence not your daughters so write them a signed letter stating that your daughter doesn't live there and you don't know where she is (even if you do know)....demand that they take your number off their list and if they still keep calling you....well then you can make a complaint to the police and they will stop before all of this goes to a court or an attorney.

Answer 7

change your number and have your daughter check on the statute of limitations as far as these bills are concerned
if she would have filed bankruptsy it would have only followed her for 8 (years)

Answer 8

When they call, say "Who? Never heard of her. Wrong number." Or give them her address. She's an adult now and should deal with it herself.

Answer 9

pay?

Head manager of the your bank (Me)

I am tired you havent payed yet. we are not going to stop calling.

Answer 10

Pay your bills, darling. That will do it every time.