Debt collectors -- some of them -- attack innocent people just to get them to pay. Sammi Roberts of Connecticut claims an “abusive and harassing debt collector forced” her to pay $422.58 just to get the debt collector off her back. Sammi didn’t realize her horror only began when she paid the “debt collector”!
Click image now to discover two common, costly debt collection tricks!
Sammi claims the alleged debt was not hers.
Sammi claims the debt collector appeared suddenly one day knowing her personal information including her social, DOB, address, maiden name, place of employment, DMV license number & cell phone number.
This debt collector, according to Sammi, attacked her from the first phone call, demanding payment for a national chain department store.
Sammi claims she never had this store’s charge card…ever!
It didn’t matter…this debt collector demanded $422.58 or else.
Sammi was scared.
Her husband was scared.
Scared people (the debt collector knew all too well) usually find whatever money they need. Exactly.
Click Read More now for the rest of Sammi’s very scary ordeal with an alleged debt collector. When Sammi shared her story, she thought the worst of it was losing $422.58. What I shared with Sammi scared her (I didn’t mean to scare her). This is potentially VERY serious, demanding urgency.
DEBT COLLECTOR OR IDENTITY THIEF…OR BOTH?
Sammi paid the debt collector with a PERSONAL check!
Tip: Please do not pay a debt collector with a personal check or any traceable means including debit cards. Please do not pay a debt collector without VERIFIABLE proof you owe the debt and the person demanding your money has a right to be paid.
Only later did Sammi stumble upon one of my websites to share her horror. My first response was to alert her bank about this “debt collector” or “payee.” Don’t allow the bank to release any money from payee requesting it. Better, I requested Sammi discuss this with an attorney specializing in debt collection.
Many debt collectors do NOT go away after they’re paid, especially somebody like this “claiming” to be a debt collector.
You see, Sammi vehemently denies ever having this store’s card. She even confirmed by calling the store and reporting the debt collection…after she paid the extortion money.
This could be an ID Thief.
Alert: I didn’t want to scare Sammi but I recommended she file a police report and strongly consider placing a FRAUD ALERT on her credit file.She doesn’t know who this person is (or these people are). He/They might have other plans for Sammi’s private information. You just can’t underestimate this serious situation. Sammi might have gotten off with a (minor) $422.58 loss…compared to what could have happened. For anybody (not proven official) to have that MUCH personal information about Sammi is enough to be concerned…very concerned!
Your rights under Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) govern how debt collectors legally can attempt to collect a debt.Still, many debt collectors correctly assume most people do not know their rights, making them easy targets for abusive debt collection tactics.
1. Contact a third party about your debt for any purpose other than to locate you.
2. Identity the debt collection company name to a 3rd party without being expressly asked.
3. Disclose to a third party a debt is allegedly owed.
4. Communicate with a single third party more than once.
5. Communicate or or attempt to communicate with you at inconvenient times or places.
6. Contact you at work after being told not to.
7. Communicate with you after receiving a letter from you (a) with a request they cease and desist all contacts or (b) that you refuse to pay the debt.
8. Engage in harassing, oppressive or abusive conduct.
9. Use or threaten violence or other criminal means, or use obscene or profane language.
10. Cause your telephone to ring repeatedly or continuously.
11. Use false, deceptive, or misleading representations or methods, including but not limited to (a) falsely representing it is affiliated with the United States or any State; (b) falsely representing the character, amount, or legal status of the debt; (c) falsely representing or implying that nonpayment would result in arrest or imprisonment or the seizure, garnishment, attachment, or sale of property or wages; (d) threatening to take an action against that cannot be legally taken or that was not actually intended to be taken; (e) falsely representing or implying that you committed a crime; or (f) communicating or threatening to communicate false or likely false credit information.
12. Use unfair or unconscionable means in an attempt to collect a debt, including but not limited to: (a) trying to collect an amount not expressly authorized by the debt agreement/contract or other applicable law; (b) threatening to or actually depositing a postdated check prior to the date on such check; or (c) taking or threatening to take money or property where there was no present right.
13. Continue to contact you after receiving your cease and desist or request for validation letter.
14. Force you to pay the debt prior to expiration of your 30 day right to dispute.
15. Sue you except in the county you signed the contract, you live or own property that is the subject of the debt.
16. Falsely represent themselves as attorneys.
17. Provide the notices required by 15 USC § 1692g either in the initial communication with you or in writing within 5 days after.
18. Notify you in the initial communication it is “an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained would be used for that purpose.”
19. Notify you during each collection contact the communication was from a debt collector
20. Disclose the caller’s individual identity in every telephone call to you.
Debt collectors are pouring out of the woodwork, finding it easy to extort money out of victims…who don’t know any better. Scared to death and ignorant of their rights, most people pay to make the fear go away. If you’ve never faced an abusive debt collector, you have no idea what it’s like. Not to know where to turn or who to trust compounds the fear. Please take a moment to comment on Sammi’s experience. What experience have you had with debt collectors? I hope your experience (if you’ve had any) has been with respectful debt collectors…if such debt collectors exist. Do any exist?
Welcome back! Got a question for me...or an experience to share? Please go to the bottom of this article to ask a question or share an experience. :) Thank you!
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