Make your tailored home page for Debt collectors

Dont provide personal or sensitive financial information Never give out or confirm personal or sensitive financial information such as your bank account, credit card, or full Social Security number unless you know the company or person you are talking with is a real debt collector.

Within 30 days of receiving the written notice of debt, send a written dispute to the debt collection agency. You can use this sample dispute letter (PDF) as a model. Once you dispute the debt, the debt collector must stop all debt collection activities until it sends you verification of the debt.

If you are struggling with debt and debt collectors, Farmer Morris Law, PLLC can help. As soon as you use the 11-word phrase please cease and desist all calls and contact with me immediately to stop the harassment, call us for a free consultation about what you can do to resolve your debt problems for good.

Ask the caller for their name, company, street address, and telephone number. If your state licenses debt collectors, you can also ask for a professional license number.

Importantly, people can sue debt collectors who break the law by lying or providing wrong information. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is the administrator and a primary enforcer of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

Report and Abusive Debt Collectors your state attorney generals office. the Federal Trade Commission. the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Here is a list of examples of how debt collectors can violate FDCPA rules: Use of threat, violence or other criminal means to harm a person, reputation or property. Use of obscene or profane language. False representation that the debt collector represents a state or federal government.

Dont give a collector any personal financial information. Dont make a good faith payment, promise to pay, or admit the debt is valid. You dont want to make it easier for the collector to get access to your money, or do anything that might revive the statute of limitations.

Although the average settlement amounts to 48% of what you originally owed, that number is a bit skewed. If your debts are still with the original creditor, settlement amounts tend to be much higher. You can end up paying up to 80% of what you owe if the debt is still with the original creditor.

6 Ways to Deal With Debt Collectors Check Your Credit Report. Make Sure the Debt Is Valid. Know the Statute of Limitations. Consider Negotiating. Try to Make the Payments You Owe. Send a Cease and Desist Letter.