In the first part of this series we discussed the situation when the debt collector contacts you for the first time.
At the first contact from a collection agency, start a file.
Include as much information as possible in your file.
There should be dates and times of phone conversations, pre-recorded messages the collector leaves on your voice mail, notes of conversations along with the name of the collection agency employee, copies of all the mail including envelopes.
Send any correspondence, including disputes, to both the collection agency and the creditor by Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested.
Remember that even if you owe a debt, the collector owes you fair treatment and respect for your privacy.
Also, be aware that even if the collector's conduct does not exactly match the language of the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, that collector may still be liable for its conduct.
According to the federal laws, a collector is not allowed to make idle threats or use abusive or profane language.
A collector should not discuss your account with third parties or use the phone to harass you.
Your state may also have a law that sets other standards for debt collectors.
A debt collector cannot call you before 8 a.
m.
and after 9 p.
m.
unless you agreement for that.
They also cannot call you repeatedly or use the phone to harass you, trick you into accepting collect calls or paying for telegrams, use obscene language, make negative comments about your character, or make religious or ethnic slurs.
Call you at work if the collector knows your boss does not allow such calls.
If you have an attorney, the collector should call that person, not you.
In the last part of the series we will discuss some tips that will make your life easier in dealing with debt collectors.