How to Deal with a Credit Card Debt Collector
For many of people, the tough housing market and credit crisis has taken its toll. If you’ve lost your job, been sidelined with an exploding mortgage payment or have simply been unable to earn as much money because of the poor economy, then you may have had difficulty handling your credit card bills.
Your creditors may turn to a debt collector when you have been unable to meet your credit card payment obligations for at least a month or more. Debt collectors, whether they work for the creditor or through a third-party collection agency, are paid to collect past-due money.
However, there are a set of guidelines to which they must adhere, and a set of rights that you, as a consumer, should be aware of if a debt collector has begun calling:
- Be aware of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is a federal act set forth to protect consumers from abusive collection practices. If you feel that the debt collector is engaging in abusive or harassing practices, or does not exhibit fair treatment or respect your privacy, then you have the legal right to make them stop harassing you. You may want to check with your state regarding their standards and laws for debt collectors, as well.
For example, a debt collector can not make threats against you, and cannot use abusive or profane language. A debt collector also cannot discuss your personal account information with any third parties or call you at unreasonable hours.
- Once a creditor or debt collection agency has begun calling you, don’t ignore the phone calls. Instead, ask for all pertinent information from the creditor, including their name, address, and telephone and fax number, as well as the specifics about your debt. You can also ask them to not call you at work and to also contact you only by mail – the creditor has a legal obligation to abide by your wishes.
- Keep a file regarding all of the information received by the debt collector, as well as times and dates (and copies, if possible) of all voice mails or phone messages left by the creditor. You may also take notes of your conversations with the debt collector. Most importantly, keep copious notes of any abusive or harassing behavior in case you need to contact the authorities.
- Seek assistance from an accredited consumer counseling agency to help you manage your debts. The best way to deal with creditors is to handle your debts so that they stop contacting you; and to do this, you need to take care of your financial responsibilities, which may mean seeking the assistance of a consumer credit counseling service or bankruptcy attorney.
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