When a Debt Collector Calls, How Should You Answer?

Posted by admin9 on Jun 24, 2021 in Blog | Comments Off on When a Debt Collector Calls, How Should You Answer? If you’re in over your head financially, you’re not alone. Americans now hold over $12.73 trillion dollars in consumer debt, with over $1 trillion of that from credit cards. Are you one of them? The push to collect on debts has reached a fever pitch. This means you’re probably receiving quite a few debt collection phone calls. While you may want to ignore these phone calls, this won’t make your debt go away. Experts recommend you answer when they call and do these three things: #1 Make sure the debt collector and the debt are legitimate. When you answer the phone, ask who you’re talking to, which is the person’s name and the debt collection company. Also ask for the company’s address and phone number and the name of the creditor. Ask the debt collector for the amount owed as well as how you can dispute or verify the debt. If the debt collector won’t or can’t tell you this information the first time you are contacted, ask for the information in writing before you engage with the collection company any further. #2 Identify the debt. If you recognize the debt, now is the time to work with the debt collector and develop a repayment plan. What if you don’t recognize the debt, though? Write and ask for formal written verification of the debt. If you are sure that the debt is not yours, write the debt collector to tell them the debt is not yours and that you do not want to be contacted about it again. #3 Keep all of your written documents. By now you may see there’s a lot of writing going on. This is because over the phone, it’s all too easy for the other person to say “No, that didn’t happen.” In order for your requests to be legally binding by the Fair Debt Collection Practice Act, they need to be in writing. Keep the letters you receive and make copies of the letters you send in case you need to dispute the issue later. It is time you take back control of your life! Are you receiving harassing collection calls? Are you getting multiple calls per day from the same collector? Are collectors filling up your voicemail box? Are they calling all hours of the day? You don’t have to put up with these harassing calls any longer because you can bring...
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What Qualifies as Debt Collection Harassment or Abuse?

Posted by admin9 on Jun 24, 2021 in Blog | Comments Off on What Qualifies as Debt Collection Harassment or Abuse? When it comes to debt collection harassment, we have some good news and some bad news for you. Debt collectors aren’t allowed to do anything and everything in order to attempt to collect from you. There are laws and regulations in place to protect you from abuse. That’s the good news. The bad news is that some less-than-scrupulous debt collectors will break these rules and it’s up to you to not only recognize the abuse but also report it. This leads to one very important question: what qualifies as debt collection harassment or abuse? The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) was put in place way back in the 1970’s to protect consumers from unfair and abusive collection tactics. It has been amended many times since then. This act is the main legal safeguard against unreasonable or threatening behaviors from creditors and collection agencies. Debt collections are not allowed to harass, oppress, or abuse you in regards to your debts, nor anyone else that they speak to regarding your debts. What’s the difference between bothering you and abusing you? There are two main things to watch out for. These are: #1 Misrepresentation A debt collector is not allowed to misrepresent themselves or your debts. This first part of the law covers a variety of false, misleading, and deceptive collection practices. If the caller refuses to give their name or identify the company they represent, this is considered misrepresentation. Making false threats against you, claiming to be an attorney or other legal professional, as well as threatening to do things they cannot legally do are all other forms of misrepresentation.  #2 Harassment If you feel like you are not being heard or respected when it comes to your debts, you may be facing debt collection harassment. Any type of intimidating threats of violence or other kind of harm, as well as obscene, abusive, or vulgar language are all forms of harassment. In addition, they are not allowed to share your information publicly in order to shame you into paying your debts. They are barred from contacting you in the middle of the night. If you verbally request they stop doing so, they cannot call you at work either. Are you receiving harassing collection calls at your home or in the workplace? Are you getting multiple calls per day from the same collector? Are collectors filling up your voicemail box and...
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Does Using Credit Cards vs. Cash Help My Credit Score?

Posted by admin9 on Jun 1, 2021 in ARTÍCULOS, Blog, Legal créditos | Comments Off on Does Using Credit Cards vs. Cash Help My Credit Score? You’ve had some struggles in the past in regards to your credit. You’re trying to fix your credit score, but it seems like it’s taking so long! Building your credit score is a lot like building a good reputation. It takes years of hard work. If you have a “bad reputation” you have to work even harder to change people’s minds about you. Just the same, working your way out of bad credit into fair and even good credit is going to take patience and consistency. This can be disheartening news if you have a bad credit score and it’s negatively impacting your life. If your credit score is less than favorable, you’re probably looking for ways that you can improve it. You may hear conflicting information in regards to the use of cash or credit to help boost your credit score. Credit cards are what got you in trouble in the first place. Now that you’re finally getting out of debt, it seems like a bad idea to put more purchases on the cards. Safe Credit Solutions is here to set the record straight! What is credit? Your payment history, credit usage, the number of credit accounts, type of accounts, credit age, and credit inquiries all determine your credit score. A complex algorithm is then used to determine your unique credit score, giving you a number anywhere from 300 to 850. If you have a large amount of debt on credit cards, your number goes down. If you make payments on the number every month, it goes up. How much can I put on credit cards? Using credit cards isn’t bad for your credit score. In fact, the opposite is true. Being awarded credit, putting a purchase on a card, and then paying it off actually raises your score. This is only going to raise your score if the third thing is done, each and every month. Too much of a good thing, buying items with your credit card, becomes a bad thing. In general, your lenders and creditors like to see a credit usage less than 30% of your credit limit. This shows responsibility and self-control. Does cash help? Any cash purchases you make don’t affect your credit score. That doesn’t mean it should be avoided. Depending on your personal situation, it might be better to operate with cash. For example, if you have high balances on...
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The Difference Between a Legitimate Debt Collector and Scammers

Posted by admin9 on May 31, 2021 in ARTÍCULOS, Blog, Legal créditos | Comments Off on The Difference Between a Legitimate Debt Collector and Scammers How to Tell the Difference Between a Legitimate Debt Collector and Scammers The difference between a legitimate debt collector and scammers is getting more and more difficult to pick up on. You get a phone call from an unknown number, and there is a stranger on the other end telling you that you’re in big trouble for a past debt. While some people who have exceptional credit and financial history may be able to blow this off immediately, you’re not so sure. You do owe money. Perhaps this call is real? You don’t want to ignore a true issue, and you certainly wouldn’t want to not show up for a court date.  Dealing with debt collection issues can be challenging—especially when you’re not sure if the person you’re being contacted by is legitimate or trying to scam you. How can you know which phone calls to trust and which are a scam? We’ll help you do just that! These are the warning signs that the person on the other end of the phone is attempting to scam you: #1 They withhold information from you. A real debt collector must tell you the name of the creditor, the amount owed, and that if you dispute the debt the debt collector will have to obtain verification of the debt. If the person on the phone does not provide this information during the initial contact with you, they must send you a written notice within five days of that initial contact. #2 They threaten you with jail time or claim to be a government official. Unlike centuries ago, you can’t be arrested and put in jail for a debt you owe. That is not to say you’re off the hook for legal ramifications. If a debt collector sues you over debt and you fail to show up in court, you will lose by default. If you then defy that court order and still do not pay, they may pursue an arrest warrant against you.  #3 You don’t recognize the debt that the person claims you owe money for. When you answer, ask questions to make sure the debt is one that you actually owe. This person is required by law to tell you the name of the creditor and the amount owed. If you don’t think you owe the debt, tell the caller that you will send a written request to the...
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5 Things Debt Collectors Can’t Do

Posted by admin9 on May 31, 2021 in ARTÍCULOS, Blog, Legal créditos | Comments Off on 5 Things Debt Collectors Can’t Do What Debt Collectors Can’t Do You owe money. You know this and understand why companies want what is due to them. This is why you are working to pay it back as quickly and completely as you can. The debt collectors certainly are not helping, though! Debt collection harassment and constant reminders doesn’t allow you to earn more money and pay back what you owe any faster. It seems like all they are doing is making it worse. It may be a comfort to you to learn that debt collectors have restrictions on how they can pursue you for payment. If they break the rules, there are consequences. Be sure to keep an eye and ear out for debt collectors doing any of the following: #1 Come to your workplace in person. It’s illegal for a debt collector to come to your workplace in person in order to collect payment. This is because they are prohibited from publicizing your debts. Showing up at your job to collect your debt would certainly be doing that! #2 Call you at work after you’ve asked them to stop. While they can’t come into your workplace in person, they may, however, call you at work. In order to stop these calls, you must ask the debt collector not to contact you at work. They must stop, according to the law. If they don’t, they are breaking the rules. #3 Call you at inconvenient times. This is yet another rule they must follow in regards to how they contact you. Debt collectors can’t call you before 8 a.m. and after 9 p.m. You can also request that a debt collector stop calling you all together. Your obligation to pay the debt remains, however, even without the phone calls. #4 Harass you in any way. Harassment from a debt collector can come in many forms. This includes repeated calls, threats of violence, publishing information about you, and abusive or obscene language. All of these are illegal under the debt collection practices act. #5 Arrest you for debt. Unlike centuries ago, you can’t be arrested and put in jail for a debt you owe. That is not to say you’re off the hook for legal ramifications. For instance, if a debt collector sues you over debt and you fail to show up in court, you may lose by default and be ordered to pay. If you...
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