Andrea Smith is a writer and consultant with Consolidate4Free.com and has been providing consumers and business owners with Free Debt Consolidation Advice since 1990. For years she has helped people with loan and credit problems especially pertaining to Debt Consolidation and Credit Card Debt Consolidation. Copyright 2008.
Here are your most Frequently Asked Questions about debt collection and the answers to them. The responses are based on the rights included in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
Is my debt collector allowed to call at any time? No. Debt collectors are only allowed to call between 8am to 9pm. Calling before 8am or after 9pm is prohibited unless with your consent.
Is it okay to leave messages on my answering machine? A collector can leave his name and contact number on your answering machine. However, he should not discuss any information about your debt unless you’re available to take the call. If you don’t want your debt collector to leave messages when you’re not home, you can tell them to stop.
Is it okay to submit partial payments? Some debt collectors may refuse to accept partial payments. However, if you don’t have the money to pay your entire debt, send in your partial payments. If your debt collectors still demands a lump sum and sends your money back, keep proof of your payments for references. In case your debt collector files a law suit against you, this would prove that you never attempt to default on your debts.
Can a debt collector threaten you about a legal law case or repossession? There are debt collectors who may resort to false threats to impose fear on a borrower. If such claims are found to be untrue, you can report them for violation of the FDCPA.
Should you put up with verbal abuse or harassment? Certainly not! Even if you owe a lender, you still deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Debt collectors should never use abusive languages, foul words, or any form of harassment to force anyone to pay.
Can a debt collector continue to contact you after you told them not to? If you want debt collection activities to stop, you can send a letter to your debt collector and inform them of your wishes. However, keep in mind that stopping an agency’s debt collection activities does not exempt you from your responsibility to make repayment. Even if the collection has been stopped, you should take the initiative to submit your payments at the soonest possible time.
What can I do if a lender collects debts I don’t owe? Under the FDCPA, consumers have the right to dispute billing charges if they think it’s incorrect. As soon as you received your bill, send a dispute letter (via registered mail) to your creditor. They should immediately stop with their collection attempts and begin an investigation about the issue. A creditor has 30 days to set the matters straight. Meanwhile, debt collection should be put to a stop.
Remember, if your creditor or debt collector is guilty of a violation of the rights listed in the FDCPA, don’t hesitate to report them to the Attorney General’s Office of your State and file a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Copyright © 2008 Consolidate4Free.com
- Related Articles
- Related Q&A
- Reasons Why The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Is Very Important To Your Business
- How The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Helps You
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act - How to Deal With Debt Collectors
- Your Rights Under the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act
- Your Credit Rights… The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
- The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act in a Nutshell
What Is Debt Consolidation?
By: Chris Cornell | 29/11/2009Are all the offers around to help people with debt consolidation just great sounding scams? After all, every person in debt got there by themselves, why can’t they get out just as well?
Learn the Facts About Debt Consolidation Programs
By: Emily Onedge | 28/11/2009Debt consolidation programs are for people who are in trouble with their debt and help by lowering their monthly payments to an amount they can deal with. These kind of programs are a win-win for the consumer and the lender since they allow the borrower to avoid hurting their credit score.
Get Out of Debt Quickly With Debt Settlements
By: Walter Sigmore | 28/11/2009Credit cards are so common with people today. While some of them do know their limits, some are overwhelmed with the credit limit that is given and tend to use up the entire money. Later, they realize that they have to repay this huge debt on their own.
How to Eliminate High Bills – bill killer
By: Elizabeth | 28/11/2009Almost each and every one of us has suffered out of high bill payments in our daily lives. It is really tough to feel the hard earned cash getting drained away on the high bill rates. Here are some ways to figure out the possible ways of bill killer to cut down the heating bills.
Fix Debt Problems with a Debt Consolidation Program
By: Emily Onedge | 27/11/2009Do you have too much debt and having trouble dealing with your financial Problems? Well you are not the only one. Today's, hard economic conditions are making it more and more difficult for many people to make their monthly payments for loans and credit cards.
Staying Afloat: A Look at the Problems of Elderly Debt
By: Boomeryearbook.com | 27/11/2009As we get older, the solutions to debt become less palatable and we become less able to cope with the emotions that weight upon us as we try to keep our heads above water and out of the bankruptcy courts. Elderly debt is one of the most heartbreaking of financial problems.
How to Pay off Your Debts Fast
By: Chris Jenkinson | 27/11/2009Are your debts out of control? Here are some tips for paying off your debts and controlling your finances.
Supporting Junior: The Ingratitude of Sons and Daughters: Boomers Helping Unemployed Family
By: Boomeryearbook.com | 27/11/2009It is a fact that the baby boomer generation seems to be working longer than any other, retiring far later due to helping out younger family members who are unable to find work in the present economic climate. Are their efforts appreciated?
Checklist for Those on Debt Management Plan
By: Andrea Smith | 18/11/2008 | Debt ConsolidationWhen confronted with serious debt, people often run to credit counseling agencies for help. True, you can find reputable non-profit organizations or credit counseling services who offer genuine debt relief. However, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns consumers against fake credit counseling agencies who may take advantage of your bad debt situation.
What Exactly is Personal Debt Consolidation?
By: Andrea Smith | 14/11/2008 | Debt ConsolidationPersonal debt consolidation doesn't mean handling the credit payments individually; rather, it means taking a personal debt consolidation loan to reduce your overbearing debt burden. Taking a personal loan for debt consolidation is a unique way of becoming debt free.
Debt Collection – Your Frequently Asked Questions Answered
By: Andrea Smith | 13/11/2008 | Debt ConsolidationHere are your most Frequently Asked Questions about debt collection and the answers to them. The responses are based on the rights included in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
What to Ask a Credit Counseling Agency
By: Andrea Smith | 13/11/2008 | Debt ConsolidationIf you have decided to seek help from a credit counseling agency, never presume that all agencies have your best interests at heart. There are agencies that disguise themselves as “non-profit” credit counseling organizations, when in fact they are conducting illegal operations.
What to Look for in a Debt Consolidation Company?
By: Andrea Smith | 11/11/2008 | Debt ConsolidationThere are companies who offer debt consolidation services especially for those burdened by bad debt. Representatives of these companies are experts in debt negotiation and in giving professional advice on managing finances. These experts can negotiate to creditors in behalf of the borrower for better repayment terms.
Free Debt Consolidation: Get Relief From Debt for Free
By: Andrea Smith | 11/11/2008 | Debt ConsolidationOrganizations that offer numerous types of debt consolidation advice for free have only one aim: giving their clients that required amount of confidence so as to make them face a particular situation themselves. They try to provide the best debt help available to solve any type of debt problems. If they provide only free advice, you can expect to receive the same type of advice as you would at a normal debt consolidator.
What Types of Debt Can be Consolidated?
By: Andrea Smith | 11/11/2008 | Debt ConsolidationA debt consolidation program is sometimes necessary to help a person recover from his debts more easily and quickly. Nevertheless, not all types of debt can be consolidated. In this article, let’s discuss the different types of debt that one can enroll in a consolidation program.