Comments on: How to Fight Debt Collectors http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/how-to-fight-debt-collectors.html personal finance blog with anecdotes, advice and commentary. Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:32:34 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Joseph Harris http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/how-to-fight-debt-collectors.html/comment-page-1#comment-292711 Joseph Harris Tue, 02 Dec 2008 05:30:40 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/?p=3427#comment-292711 Jake, I know we have somewhat more debtor-friendly laws and regulations in the UK, but I cannot imagine this behaviour you report is within American regulations. At the top of the page there are links which you should access and check if the debt collectors are acting within both their rights to increase debt in this way, and their rights to harass you. I know it means a bit of reading, but it is worth it. Also in the Uk we have a number of charities that will help with advice and representation for debtors - our main one is Citizen's Advice Bureaux. Do you have anything like that? Most of all do not let yourself be bullied. Always ask for written proof of what they say, for reference to the laws and regulations they are acting under, and make use of any rights you have to check their status in regard to any licences that may be required. Here our Office of Fair Trading issues licences to trade in credit, and we have a Financial Ombudsman Service. And always make sure you note every conversation with notes, date, time and the name of who is talking their end - it is a good idea to ask their job title as well. Write to any licensing authority or phone them for advice. And check if you have anything equivalent to our Customer Protection Regulations. Get as many names of these laws regulations and codes as you can and ask if they are complying, or if you have read them point out any failures in what they are doing or saying. Goog luck Jake in fighting off these sharks. Debt Control Man from the UK Jake,

I know we have somewhat more debtor-friendly laws and regulations in the UK, but I cannot imagine this behaviour you report is within American regulations.

At the top of the page there are links which you should access and check if the debt collectors are acting within both their rights to increase debt in this way, and their rights to harass you. I know it means a bit of reading, but it is worth it.

Also in the Uk we have a number of charities that will help with advice and representation for debtors – our main one is Citizen’s Advice Bureaux. Do you have anything like that?

Most of all do not let yourself be bullied. Always ask for written proof of what they say, for reference to the laws and regulations they are acting under, and make use of any rights you have to check their status in regard to any licences that may be required. Here our Office of Fair Trading issues licences to trade in credit, and we have a Financial Ombudsman Service.

And always make sure you note every conversation with notes, date, time and the name of who is talking their end – it is a good idea to ask their job title as well.

Write to any licensing authority or phone them for advice. And check if you have anything equivalent to our Customer Protection Regulations.

Get as many names of these laws regulations and codes as you can and ask if they are complying, or if you have read them point out any failures in what they are doing or saying.

Goog luck Jake in fighting off these sharks.

Debt Control Man from the UK

]]> By: Jake http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/how-to-fight-debt-collectors.html/comment-page-1#comment-292704 Jake Tue, 02 Dec 2008 03:02:20 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/?p=3427#comment-292704 Does anyone have any information on Columbia Credit Services. I had a credit card in college (huge mistake). I used it to pay off some tuition. The credit limit was 1000 dollars. I took out cash and paid off the last of what I owed for the semester. I graduated and have been trying to climb out of the hole I have dug for myself. My debt was bought by a collections agency who had tried to collect what I owed, which after year or two climbed to over 3000 dollars. They agreed to settle for 1800, and I was on my way to settling. I recently received a letter from Columbia Credit Services stating that they had recently taken ownership of my debt. I was to pay them the sum of 4570 dollars, and if failure to do so would result in legalities. I finally called a representative from the creditor, and he was not very helpful. He was looking at my credit report while speaking to me, and telling me that I was currently differing my student loans which is not true. Also that I had some other minor infractions that were not taken care of. I have been paying the student loans for past eight months since I have gotten a job, and paid off all other infractions on the report he was bringing up. He proceeded to ask me how much I made. I told him. Then he asked how much rent I paid and he implied I was lying that it was way too much. I live in Hunterdon conty in NJ, and if you know the area it is expensive. Regardless he came to conclusion that I could settle for 3514. I told him I wasn't able to do so, yet was aware I owed money that I did not pay back. He then told me to borrow money from friends or family, and was rude when I said I wouldn't be willing to ask for money. I was willing to be put on a payment plan if possible. He then proceeded to tell me I had to come up with atleast 1000 dollars to be eligible to make monthly payments. He said the lawyers would not agree to let me make payments without a substantial down payment. I originally spent 1300 dollars on a credit card with a 1000 dollar limit, and now I am being told thta if I don't come up with the money to pay off legal action will be taken. Can anyone help or advise me of what to do. I would greatly appreciate it. I work hard and am trying to better my credit. HELP? Thanks Does anyone have any information on Columbia Credit Services. I had a credit card in college (huge mistake). I used it to pay off some tuition. The credit limit was 1000 dollars. I took out cash and paid off the last of what I owed for the semester. I graduated and have been trying to climb out of the hole I have dug for myself. My debt was bought by a collections agency who had tried to collect what I owed, which after year or two climbed to over 3000 dollars. They agreed to settle for 1800, and I was on my way to settling. I recently received a letter from Columbia Credit Services stating that they had recently taken ownership of my debt. I was to pay them the sum of 4570 dollars, and if failure to do so would result in legalities. I finally called a representative from the creditor, and he was not very helpful. He was looking at my credit report while speaking to me, and telling me that I was currently differing my student loans which is not true. Also that I had some other minor infractions that were not taken care of. I have been paying the student loans for past eight months since I have gotten a job, and paid off all other infractions on the report he was bringing up. He proceeded to ask me how much I made. I told him. Then he asked how much rent I paid and he implied I was lying that it was way too much. I live in Hunterdon conty in NJ, and if you know the area it is expensive. Regardless he came to conclusion that I could settle for 3514. I told him I wasn’t able to do so, yet was aware I owed money that I did not pay back. He then told me to borrow money from friends or family, and was rude when I said I wouldn’t be willing to ask for money. I was willing to be put on a payment plan if possible. He then proceeded to tell me I had to come up with atleast 1000 dollars to be eligible to make monthly payments. He said the lawyers would not agree to let me make payments without a substantial down payment. I originally spent 1300 dollars on a credit card with a 1000 dollar limit, and now I am being told thta if I don’t come up with the money to pay off legal action will be taken. Can anyone help or advise me of what to do. I would greatly appreciate it. I work hard and am trying to better my credit. HELP? Thanks

]]> By: Andy http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/how-to-fight-debt-collectors.html/comment-page-1#comment-279508 Andy Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:41:14 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/?p=3427#comment-279508 Great post and just a quick note to let you know it was included in the 28th edition of the money hacks carnival, which I hosted this week. Great post and just a quick note to let you know it was included in the 28th edition of the money hacks carnival, which I hosted this week.

]]> By: Joseph http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/how-to-fight-debt-collectors.html/comment-page-1#comment-277520 Joseph Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:02:48 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/?p=3427#comment-277520 Greetings from Debt Control Man in the UK. Allowing for the differences in our laws this advice looks spot on. Some corporations and companies do try every trick they know, and the citizen - has to get informed of the rights they have and the rights of the creditor and debt collector; and the limitations on their behaviour. Keeping full record of what takes place is essential. Don't rely on memory or the records of the creditor or debt collector. Get names, get places, get any licence numbers that are relevant. If anything purports to be court papers insist on the opportunity to check with the court - and that means when the court is open to be contacted. Keep up the good work Jim, but don't be too hard on debtors; they really can have good reasons for a problem developing. And don't be too kindly to the companies; they have not behaved well in the easy credit period! Joseph Harris Greetings from Debt Control Man in the UK. Allowing for the differences in our laws this advice looks spot on. Some corporations and companies do try every trick they know, and the citizen – has to get informed of the rights they have and the rights of the creditor and debt collector; and the limitations on their behaviour.
Keeping full record of what takes place is essential. Don’t rely on memory or the records of the creditor or debt collector. Get names, get places, get any licence numbers that are relevant. If anything purports to be court papers insist on the opportunity to check with the court – and that means when the court is open to be contacted.
Keep up the good work Jim, but don’t be too hard on debtors; they really can have good reasons for a problem developing. And don’t be too kindly to the companies; they have not behaved well in the easy credit period!
Joseph Harris

]]> By: jim http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/how-to-fight-debt-collectors.html/comment-page-1#comment-277454 jim Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:56:33 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/?p=3427#comment-277454 I agree, though 99% is probably a little high of an estimate. I agree, though 99% is probably a little high of an estimate.

]]> By: Matt http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/how-to-fight-debt-collectors.html/comment-page-1#comment-277447 Matt Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:21:39 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/?p=3427#comment-277447 Actually, step one is face up if it's your debt. If you had a credit card bill you skipped out on, and it lead to these calls. Save the lawyers fees and just pay your debts. Yes, sometimes they contact the wrong person, and if that's the case it's easier to prove than you think. But 99% of the time, it's the right person, the right phone number and the right debt. Actually, step one is face up if it’s your debt. If you had a credit card bill you skipped out on, and it lead to these calls. Save the lawyers fees and just pay your debts. Yes, sometimes they contact the wrong person, and if that’s the case it’s easier to prove than you think. But 99% of the time, it’s the right person, the right phone number and the right debt.

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