When a CA or Creditor Calls Your Supervisor

[treehugger1]

Here is a twist on how one might respond if your supervisor or a colleague is called about your debt.

Since it is illegal for a collection agency or a creditor (in most cases) to call and discuss that you owe money with anyone other than you, if such a thing occurs, in my opinion, you can respond to the colleague or supervisor with, "Really, this sounds like potential identity theft. I hope you didn't offer any information." From what I'm hearing from others who have been through the gauntlet of debt collection, the identity theft issue has thrown a new wrinkle in the debt collector's ability to contact anyone but you. In fact, if the CA or creditor calls your supervisor, colleague, or partner, and attempts to discuss your debt and solicit information about you, it seems reasonable that the call could be an identity theft issue (they didn't call you.)

In fact, I am now at the point where any CA who calls me, I refuse to offer any information other than to tell them to send me a letter via US mail. When they attempt to get my address, I don't even give that up. I simply tell them that because of my growing concern of identity theft, and the fact that they seem to have my phone number, must imply they can find a legitimate address. I also record every conversation and tell the calling party that the call is being recorded and I am TERRIBLY concerned that "you" are attempting to steal my identity. I generally tell them this after I have recorded for a while. I'm in a state that allows anyone (caller or receiver) to record calls at any time.

The "identity theft" issue is really creating a non-reponse from the under-educated collectors who have called recently. This shold be a VERY REAL concern of anyone when a caller calls and asks for personal information from you.

Once someone sends a collection letter and you ask for validation and receive it, then you will need to consider other options.

Cheers!

[CPO]

Superb post!

I had never even considered "identity theft" as such a ploy.

And, it's most effective because its current (in the news), everybody seems aware of it and so insidious that just an accusation usually runs people off.

Not to mention that it IS a real cause for concern.

Outstanding info you have here.

Thanks,

CPO

[treehugger1]

Think about it, if someone calls you asking that you verify the last four of your SSN, address, phone number, date-of-birth, etc, and you don't have a clue as to who these folks are, why should you give them information? If you want to be sure they "are who they are" and they claim to be attempting to collect a debt, they can send you proper information through the mail.

I'm waiting for the first lawsuit to come down the pike that claims a CA is infringing on one's identity. One more reason to require validation/verification as stated by the FDCPA!

Don't share any information with anyone until THEY can provide adequate proof that they are "for real."