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During Military Consumer Month 2022, the FTC is highlighting resources to help veterans and their families navigate tricky situations they may find themselves in.

Watch this video to see how Bryan, a U.S. Army veteran, was able to get debt collectors to stop contacting him about a debt he didn’t think he owed.

Fraud Affects Every Community: Debt Collection from Federal Trade Commission on Vimeo.

Bryan asked the collectors for proof of his debt, which they didn’t have. A collector has to give you “validation information” about the debt, either during their first phone call with you or in writing within five days after first contacting you. The collector must tell you four pieces of information:

  • how much money you owe
  • the name of the creditor you owe it to
  • how to get the name of the original creditor
  • what to do if you don’t think it’s your debt

If a debt collector won’t give you this information, report them to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. To learn more about your rights, visit consumer.gov/debt. Please share this video with friends and family so they’ll know what to do if they get a call about a debt they don’t think they owe.

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Patricia Tiller
July 26, 2022

This is so true I hope that people don’t have to do this , I pay attention to this kind of scandal

Paul Luther Da…
July 26, 2022

I am a disabled Army Veteran. I feel like I am jumping through false hoops of pass the responsibility of helping me find how to handle my issues with creditors and they're falsely reporting to my credit reporting agencies. I have had several years reporting these issues of the same companies over the years to no changes yet. The courts judges say as long as the i's are dotted, and the t's are crossed it is legal even when I was not given due notice or out of state. I even found one company had violated 3 issues with the international laws of doing business. The judges don't even care to believe the citizen on this proof on a company falsely garnishing a veteran on a set income. He even was attempting to allow total garnish of all income in my bank account. I will do all I can to run for some political office to be taken more serious about making a change to these issues and veteran health care or health care across the board.

MzMariette
July 26, 2022

Anyone can do this, not just Veterans.

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