Everyone has gotten those harassing and annoying phone calls from debt collectors. You may have even been notified by mail like I was in a debt collection letter. It may seem like you’ve done everything that you can to get these collectors off your back but nothing ever gets done. Well, the good new is that you may have more power in this situation than you might think.
The Fair Debt Collection Practice Act establishes guidelines that all debt collectors must follow when making collection calls. It discusses debt collection letters and what needs to be included within them. It tells what the collectors are able and unable to do, thereby protecting some of your rights along the way. Such actions like calling early in the morning or really late at night are illegal through this act. The companies can’t continuously call you (like most do) as long as you file a cease and desist letter to stop these numerous calls. They are legally obligated to follow the regulations in this letter, and they can be held legally accountable for their improper actions.
There are several things that you can do when debt collectors won’t stop calling you. You could simply not pick up the phone and trace the call if you have caller ID. They cant hassle you if you don’t talk to them. If you decide to answer the phone, there are some things you might want to have ready ahead of time. You’ll want to keep a detailed record of any conversations with a debt collector, including phone numbers, names of representatives, company names, amounts owed, and perhaps even settlement information that are mentioned in the conversation.
You might even decide that recording the phone conversation between the debt collectors might be a good idea for cases involving courts and lower settlements. The recorded words of the debt collectors would be binding if they were to try to get out of any unofficial settlements in court. You need to be aware that it may be illegal to not notify the other party that they are being recorded. Make sure that whomever you are talking with fully understands your intent and that they are being recorded.
The best way to really be sure that they won’t hassle any more is to pay off what you owe. The collectors are just trying to do their jobs, and eventually you’ll need to respect that. In this case, you will still want to take records of all information that you are given. A lot of times the collectors will settle for a lower amount of money if you give them enough incentive, so recording proof of that will be key. This will help make sure that the debt collection companies are legally bound to the phone settlement.
You’ll want to make sure that these companies stop the black marking of your credit history as you are trying to do the right thing and pay what is owed. It is sometimes hard to get your credit back to a reasonable score when dealing with them, but as long as your persistent, you can eventually get back on track. Read the debt collection letters and abide by them. Just be patient and calm as dealing with debt collectors can often be a very stressful time. There is hope at the end of it all.
To your independence,
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