I have scam-artists calling me with spurious credit claims, saying I owe them money. How can I make them stop?

Question

I messed up my credit as a kid, and it's taken me years to rebuild, but now I'm getting phone calls from people who barely speak English and have only a 1-800 # and a PO Box, wanting to "collect on a debt" that's over 6-7 years old and this is the first time anyone was able to get a hold of me ~ obviously, a scam...but what are my options for making them go away? I've called the BBB on one company - turns out they've already had 15+ complaints brought against them, and their rating is so low they don't even care about the Better Business Bureau. They call daily, nighly, on weekends & holidays, usually leaving recorded messages...Do I have any protection under law without pursuing litigation or changing my phone number?

Answer 1

You might still be legally obligated to pay on the debt. Find out what the statute of limitations is for the state you lived in at the time that you messed up your credit. The people who are trying to collect might have bought the debt from the lender; this process is called "zombie debt". I have included a link to this to explain to you what your rights are and what you need to watch out for, and what you need to do to get them to leave you alone.

Answer 2

Get an answering machine. Don't answer the phone. Take the phone out of your bedroom. Pay your bills....

Answer 3

SIgn up for the No Call list, then report them.

Answer 4

They'll keep calling. Change your phone number.

Answer 5

get a machine to answer the calls or block their number.

Answer 6

ask him for his home phone number and tell him you will call him later. say..about dinner time!! there is some way you can block them. i dont know how...........yet!

Answer 7

better check your credit if theres not some stolen account opened in your name.