I'm not a deadbeat, but I'm in college and have no funds right now. This one guy has been almost stalking me, harrassing me on the phone, calling me names.. etc etc. What are my rights?
2007-07-03 07:05:37 · 7 answers · asked by Strawberry Princess Cakes 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
In Minnesota...
2007-07-03 07:10:21 · update #1
Basically he was name-calling, telling me how stupid I am for going to college, and screaming at me. It got worse after I said, "Unlike some people, I don't plan on being a colletor for the rest of my life, so I need to finish college!" --since then, he has been stalking me. They only had my cell number, he found my parents home number and has been calling them as well.
2007-07-03 07:12:41 · update #2
They cannot call your parents. The debt is yours and yours alone. If they call your parents again, have them tell the company that the debt does not belong to them and that they do not have information leading to your whereabouts, and if they continue to call, they can be sued for harrassment.
You on the other hand, have very little rights. They can continue to call you as long as you do not attempt to pay them. The first things you need to answer in order for someone to help you is: How much is the debt for? How old is the debt? What state do you live in? Has the debt been sold?
If the debt is fresh, I would suggest working out a plan to take care of it. If you wait too long, it will be sold to a collection company, and that is where it begins to get difficult.
After a certain amount of time with the primary debt collector, eventually they will give up internally trying to collect the debt. At this point they will cut their losses and sell the debt to a collection agency. Typically, collection agencies pay 10 cents on the dollar to buy the debt from the original debt collector. On average, I have found that once it has made it to the second level collection agency, they will settle for as low as 40%. of the original(this means a 30% profit-cost of doing business).
In Texas, the big trend that is beginning to occur more often, is collection companies placing a judgement against the person that owes the debt. This will hurt your credit a lot worse than a simple collection. A judgement is enforceable in the court of law. At that point I would go ahead and get a lawyer. Most of the time you have to have a debt that is worth taking to court - higher dollar.
Yes they can harass you. There are some lines - consult your local attorney.
2007-07-03 07:33:30 · answer #1 · answered by ozzbadram 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
debt recovery can range from simple letters threatening legal action to outright seizure of your goods and chattels.there is only so much debt recovery operatives can do to recover unpaid monies-there is a lot more they cannot do-for example they cannot park a vehicle outside the debtors home saying "debt recovery" on the side nor can they call on you during unsociable hours (in the middle of the night for instance) if you are a lone female and decide to sort out the problem with the bailiff insist on another female being present (preferably one of your freinds) what this person is doing is personal harassment which is illegal-so report him to the police.-in the meantime contact your creditors with an offer to pay-most will accept a reasonable offer. just do not default on the payments!!!. after reading your addition to the post if he is contacting your folks then you must report him to both his company bosses and the police without delay>>>>>>.
2007-07-03 14:11:45 · answer #2 · answered by tony c 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you don't have many rights if you have outstanding debts that you're not paying on. i mean, the name calling is a bit much, but they have every right in the world to continue to inquire about the money you owe them.
depending on the institution, you may be able to call and explain the situation and see if you can lower your minimum payment or something, though i doubt that will work.
other than that, it sounds like you're going to have to get a job and start paying off your debt. or get student loans (which can be deferred until you are finished with school) and use your other funds to pay off debts instead of paying for school.
2007-07-03 14:10:37 · answer #3 · answered by spaz 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
creditors cannot do that!!!! their job is to collect money, and or help you find a way to start paying them. they cannot call names, make threats or anything like that. get his name, and report him. he will be fired!!!! or just send them like $1 a month, they cant do anything if your attempting any kind of payment,
ya im from minnesota, next time they call. tell him to stop, or you will report him.
2007-07-03 14:10:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can not be harrassed. He can't stalk you or call you during certain hours. He can not physically or verbally abuse you.
Report this person and his company to your state's attorney and your state's consumer protection office.
2007-07-03 14:09:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Most COLLECTION Agencies..... get up to 55% of all they Collect!
Contact the States Attorney where you go to School..... OR.... Ask the Reference Librian.... in your School!
They Cannot Harasses you like that!
Thanks, RR
2007-07-03 14:09:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Depends on the state. In Florida they can call you only once, but in Georgia they can garish your wages. Call your state office that deals with comumer affairs and see what your rights are
2007-07-03 14:08:50 · answer #7 · answered by jean 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋