Consumer Alert
Getting a call from a debt collector can be stressful. But it can be downright frightening when the caller uses lies, profanity and threats to try to get you to pay. In a case announced today, the FTC says a debt collection operation in Charlotte, NC pretended to be lawyers. Really, they were not lawyers and had no authority to collect debts.
The FTC says the “collectors” used a variety of names to make people think they were dealing with a law firm. The imposters told people they were delinquent on a payday loan or other debt and threatened them with arrest, jail time, or getting sued unless they paid by credit or debit card over the phone.
Sometimes, the callers had personal information, like Social Security and bank account numbers, or relatives’ names. The callers used this information to convince people that the calls were legitimate.
In truth, the FTC says, the defendants pressured people into paying debts they never owed.
You can’t be arrested for not paying your bills. If a debt collector calls about a debt – and before you agree to pay anything – ask for a written proof that says how much money you owe and to who, and what to do if you don’t think you owe the money. By law, debt collectors have to send you a written document, called a validation notice, within five days after they first contact you. If they don’t, that’s a warning sign that they may not be legitimate.
Debt collection complaints account for nearly one-third of consumer complaints to the FTC. If you, or someone you know, has gotten a suspicious debt collection call, report it to the FTC. With your help, we’re finding the bad guys and putting them out of business.
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408 Comments
In reply to Thank you for doing your job. by First Approach…
In reply to Getting these at work and at by AnnoyedGSONC
I have been getting calls from an attorneys office in Nashville Tn. Where I did live for 27 years. Not if it is my bill. I'm 60 years old , on disability since 2011. We had people living downstairs of us immediately harassed about this electric bill. My Fiance passed away. I had to leave our home. They are called. Robinson, Reagan and young.615/ 726 /0902. 446 a James Robertson pkwy suite 200 Nashville Tn. 37219 -1533.my memory is off so I truly am not sure of this.
In reply to hola me estan reclamando una by makguiver
In reply to I have been getting calls by cindyh471
Under federal law, a debt collector must send you a written validation notice within five days after they first contact you.
The notice must tell you:
You could tell a collector to send a validation notice.
If you think the bill is not yours, you could call the Attorney General in Tennessee at 615-741-3491.
In reply to Under federal law, a debt by FTC Staff
In reply to Hello- I don't live in S. by gettingharrassed
Federal law requires, that within five days after they first contact you, a legitimate debt collector must send you a written “validation notice” telling you:
You may be dealing with a fake debt collector. This FTC article about fake debt collectors explains the signs of a fake debt collector. A call may be from a fake debt collector if:
If you get another call, you could tell them to send a validation notice. If a caller refuses to give you all of this information, do not pay. Paying a fake debt collector will not always make them go away. They might call about another fake debt and attempt to get more money from you.
In reply to Also there is a Fox by cindyh471
In reply to I received a call from 1-866 by KennyMac
In reply to I received a call from 1-866 by KennyMac
Calls coming in with the caller id showing V+many numbers. Can these reported to Do Not Call?
In reply to Calls coming in with the by drpjss
Yes, you can report the calls to DoNotCall.gov
In reply to Calls coming in with the by drpjss
In reply to Those numbers are Verizon by FYI
In reply to I received a call from a debt by trofa5@
Under federal law, a debt collector can contact people besides the debtor, but only to find out the debtor's address, home phone or work location.
Under federal law, the collector can usually contact people only one time. Read more about debt collection rights.
In reply to "debt collectors have to send by comment
In reply to Receiving numerous robot by Chrismikemom
In reply to I've been chased by this scam by Disgusted in CA
I received this email today? Is this a scam email?? c
ollection.dept. ace. cash m> wrote:
Re: SK03-91987
Dear Debtor, We are writing to you about the fact, despite previous reminders, there remains an outstanding amount of $910.75 in respect of the above invoice. This amount was due for payment from long span of time. Our credit terms stipulate full payment within 30days and this account is now days overdue. The total amount due from you is therefore $910.75.
If the full amount of the sum outstanding, as set out above, is not paid within 3 days of the date of this letter, we will begin legal action, without warning, for a court order requiring payment. We may also commence insolvency proceedings. Legal proceedings may affect any credit rating. The costs of the legal proceedings and any other amounts which the court orders, must also be paid, in addition to the debt.
This letter is being sent to you in accordance with the Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct (the PDPAC) contained in the Civil Procedure Rules. The court has the power to sanction your continuing failure to respond. We await your immediate payment of the outstanding amount. Regards, Collection Department
In reply to I received this email today? by Anynomus
This could be from a fake debt collector. Fake debt collectors often ask for payment on debts you don't recognize, exert pressure to pay quickly, threaten to have you reported to law enforcement and don't give their name or contact information.
Read about what to do if a fake debt collector contacts you.
In reply to I received this email today? by Anynomus
In reply to I received this email today? by Anynomus
In reply to I received this email today? by Anynomus
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