"Top 20" Debt and Credit Myth Busters!
If you've fallen behind on your bills (especially credit cards) and a debt collector is
harassing you, don't panic! You may have several good options available to you by simply
learning the truth about the top 20 debt and credit myths. These truths can be powerful
tips and tools for dealing with collectors who use illegal and unethical debt collection
tactics. Don't let a debt collector talk you into bankruptcy, into high monthly debt
repayment plans, or into borrowing against the equity in your home, regain financial
control and peace of mind by knowing the truth!
A debt collector MAY NOT (despite what they say):
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.
ALSO, A debt collector MUST (despite what they say):
1. Provide the notices required by 15 USC § 1692g either in the initial communication
with you or in writing within 5 days after.
2. Notify you in the initial communication it is "an attempt to collect a debt and any
information obtained would be used for that purpose."
3. Notify you during each collection contact the communication was from a debt
collector
4. Disclose the caller?s individual identity in every telephone call to you.
harassing you, don't panic! You may have several good options available to you by simply
learning the truth about the top 20 debt and credit myths. These truths can be powerful
tips and tools for dealing with collectors who use illegal and unethical debt collection
tactics. Don't let a debt collector talk you into bankruptcy, into high monthly debt
repayment plans, or into borrowing against the equity in your home, regain financial
control and peace of mind by knowing the truth!
A debt collector MAY NOT (despite what they say):
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.
ALSO, A debt collector MUST (despite what they say):
1. Provide the notices required by 15 USC § 1692g either in the initial communication
with you or in writing within 5 days after.
2. Notify you in the initial communication it is "an attempt to collect a debt and any
information obtained would be used for that purpose."
3. Notify you during each collection contact the communication was from a debt
collector
4. Disclose the caller?s individual identity in every telephone call to you.
More info at 800beacon.com
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