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Hi, I got a notice from a collection agency which claims to be a law firm. It says that I owe them something below 1k for phone account I never had actually. What can happen if I just ignore the notice or forget about it? I am really scared of being harassed. I have heard some of my friends going through such harassment. Can you advice how to stay out of this?

Guest

Abigail,

I don't think ignoring the notice will be a good thing especially when you are confident that you haven't used the phone account. I shall suggest that you contact them and explain them that such an account in your name never existed with them. Even then if they insist that you make the payments, then tell them that you'll be filing a dispute.

You may also consider calling up the actual phone company and tell them about the notice.

You may also try to gather some information on the collection agency which claims to be a law form. Find out from the BBB if the law firm is licensed or not.

Caron · Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 5:01 am Post subject: RE: collection agency dispute

Hi Abigail,

Welcome to the forum.

This is quite common with debtors these days. I think they may send you more letters. You can ignore the agency for a minimum of 60 days before they can report it to the bureaus. Just give them a call after that and then explain them your financial situation. You can even call them up before the period is over.

While you explain your situation, take any of the following steps:

Request the collection agency to establish a monthly plan in accordance with your budget.
If you have shortage of cash, you may ask them to settle the loan for half of the unpaid balance. This will help you to repay the loan in one single payment.
The agency should have verified if at all you owe the debt which they are trying to collect. So, they need to contact the original creditor and the creditor has to provide them with information on your debt within 30 days. In case the creditor finds out that you do not owe the debt, then the agency has to stop the collection. Thus, the debt is never reported on your credit report.

Hope you will get some help from this information.

Thanks,

Caron.

Guest

Guest

Can a Collection Agency call a person at Work and Harass them? Is it against the law in Kansas?

cliff3 · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 7:10 am Post subject:

Hello Pam,

Please note that this is only a partial list of Federal collection agency laws:

It is illegal for a collection agency to:

Imply that the failure to pay a debt will result in imprisonment, arrest or garnishment of wages.

To call you at work when they know it is against your company rules to receive calls of this nature at work.

To talk with third parties such as children, neighbors or employers except to acquire your location information.

Cause the telephone to ring, or engage a person in telephone conversations, repeatedly or continuously, with the intent to annoy, abuse, or harass a consumer;
Threaten to take action such as filing a lawsuit when they did not intend to do so

Call consumers at times or places that they knew or should have known were inconvenient

Fail to notify consumers of their right to dispute and obtain verification of their debts, and to obtain the name of the original creditor.

Continue to try to collect debts after consumers disputed them in writing, and before verifying the debts.

Use obscene or profane language.

EACH STATE also implores additional laws and policies as well. Be sure to check with your Attorney General's office in your state to know all your rights.

Let us know if you still have other questions or issues.

Good luck.
Smile

Guest

Hi my name is amanda, I was wondering if it was illegal for a collection agency to call my neighbors and other people in my town that have the same last name to try to collect a debt? They are even leaving messages on their answering machines with companys name and callback numbers! Isn't this a violation of privacy?

gmakerley · Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 10:38 am Post subject:

amanda, i answered your question elsewhere. you can review it with this link:

http://www.mortgagefit.com/credit-rating/about29915.html

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Can I ignore collection agency notice?