Don't ignore that debt collector call
Nobody wants to get a call, letter or email from a debt collector. But it happens.
And what's important is how you deal with it.
"A lot of people choose to ignore it and hide from it," says Mark Schiffman is with ACA International, the association that represents debt collectors.
That's the worst thing you can do.
"The best way to resolve the issue and make the calls stop is to talk to the debt collector and find out is it your debt. If not, we'll verify it and move on," Schiffman says.
Debt collectors have a job to do. But they must do it professionally. By law, debt collectors are not allowed to harass you or be abusive. They can't threaten that you'll be arrested if you don't pay on the spot (you won't be). Debtor's prisons are long gone.
Don't ever pay just to make a debt collector go away if you think the debt is a mistake .
If you want them to stop contacting you, write the collector a letter and tell them to leave you alone. They must honor your wishes. Of course, that doesn't make the debt go away. If you really owe the money, they can always take you to court.
If the debt collector is abusive, you should file complaints with the State Attorney General's Office and the Federal Trade Commission.
For more information
FTC: Debt Collection FAQs: A Guide for Consumers
Ask Doctor Debt (run by the credit collection industry)
And what's important is how you deal with it.
"A lot of people choose to ignore it and hide from it," says Mark Schiffman is with ACA International, the association that represents debt collectors.
That's the worst thing you can do.
"The best way to resolve the issue and make the calls stop is to talk to the debt collector and find out is it your debt. If not, we'll verify it and move on," Schiffman says.
Debt collectors have a job to do. But they must do it professionally. By law, debt collectors are not allowed to harass you or be abusive. They can't threaten that you'll be arrested if you don't pay on the spot (you won't be). Debtor's prisons are long gone.
Don't ever pay just to make a debt collector go away if you think the debt is a mistake .
If you want them to stop contacting you, write the collector a letter and tell them to leave you alone. They must honor your wishes. Of course, that doesn't make the debt go away. If you really owe the money, they can always take you to court.
If the debt collector is abusive, you should file complaints with the State Attorney General's Office and the Federal Trade Commission.
For more information
FTC: Debt Collection FAQs: A Guide for Consumers
Ask Doctor Debt (run by the credit collection industry)
