Handling your creditors!

[bluegirl2005]

I know this is a silly question.... ...but I'll ask anyways!!

How do you all handle your creditors when they phone you at work what do you say without the rest of the office knowing your business?
I need some ideas!

[BassBoy]

You've got to search the threads

I posted this a while ago..........got buried

Debt collectors are regulated by numerous state and federal laws in their debt collection activities. Most people know that debt collectors cannot abuse them on the phone or in writing--what many people don't know is that they have a lot of other legal rights, too.

Even if you owe the debt, or you cannot pay, you still have rights under the FDCPA. Most people owe the debt being collected but because of financial circumstances, or a dispute over the goods or services, they cannot pay it. This circumstance doesn't mean that a creditor can abuse you or threaten you on the phone or in writing.

For example, a debt collector cannot call you at work if they know that it is inconvenient for you or that your employer prohibits it. Debt collectors cannot tell others about your debts, like your next door neighbor or your co-worker. These are just a few of the numerous protections you have as a consumer. If a debt collector violates your rights, an attorney can help.

Steps To Take Immediately
* Save copies of all letters and notices from collection agencies .
* Save all phone messages and voice mails- this is very important!
* Make note of your conversations with these bill collectors.
* Call your consumer rights attorney to help you recover your damages.

Use a Collection Communication Log. It will standardize, simplify, and legitimize your claims against debt collectors.

Tape Recording Collection Calls
In 35 States and the District of Columbia, it is legal for one party in a phone conversation to secretly tape the conversation.

Your Right to Sue a Collector for Violations of the FDCPA.
You have the right to sue a debt collector within one year from the date you believe the law was violated. If you do not bring you lawsuit within one year of the violation, your claim will be forever barred by a statute of limitations. If you win your lawsuit, you may recover money for the damage you suffered, statutory damages of up to $1,000 plus court costs and your attorney's fees.

Harassment Prohibited.
A debt collector may not use any language, communication or conduct to harass, oppress, or abuse any person. This includes prohibits on:

* Use threats of violence or harm to the person, property, or reputation.
* Advertise your debt or publish a list of consumers who refuse to pay their debts, except to a credit bureaus.
* Use obscene or profane language.
* Repeatedly use the telephone to annoy someone or ring the telephone constantly.
* Call people without identifying themselves.

My advice, downplay the call like it's someone you know.

[bkfiler]

well first you can tell them that you are not allowed to accept phone calls at work and please do not call here again. that is the law. document it and record it with their name, date and time they called and what they said to you.

as for ideas on what to say, if you are not married (so you dont look like a hussy lol) act like its a boy calling you for a date...

creditor calls.
you ask "hi! who is this again?!"
creditor tells you.
you say "oh! i cant take calls at work, please do not call me at work again. call me at home only"
then you hang up.
then you say "damn that boy wants me too, im hot this month!"

[bluegirl2005]

Thanks Bassboy I'll copy that information!!!

Hi bkfiler.....teee heee....like that last comment but I'm married!!
Thanks for the phone tips

you are not allowed to accept phone calls at work and please do not call here again.

I'll will be using that one!!!

By the way your toe is gross!!

[jennga]

I was starting to get calls at work and we have a receptionist so I just getting these calls and she said the caller would just say it was a business call. That was before I had the collective knowledge of these boards.

The ones I did call back I told them not to call me at work and that they were jeopardizing my employment and that I knew they had to stop calling me at work and that I had legal rights. At that point I didn't know what I had but it worked for the most part. I gave them a cell phone number that I take messages on but don't answer. They called the phone so much they ran up the bill and I had to get the number changed on my cell.

The work call stopped when I told them that it was against our company policy to recieve business calls and work and they were jeopardizing my employment. After I filed bk, of course all the calls stopped

[jennga]

BTW, it is not a silly question, most of us had it at one time or another
Thats what we are here for, to help each other. Hope all goes well.

[bkfiler]

you can get a virgin mobile phone pre-paid for cheap $20 that comes with pre-paid time $10 maybe and dont have to buy time until another 3 months. it rolls over too. and you can check the messages using a land line instead so its free.

so you get a cheap way to have a emergency phone, additional phone number for 'others' and very little cost.

[bluegirl2005]

The ones I did call back I told them not to call me at work and that they were jeopardizing my employment and that I knew they had to stop calling me at work and that I had legal rights.

Thanks Jenn that's a good one as well!!



Hey bkfiler notice you've change your Avatar to an eyeball at least it's not as bad as that toe!! LOL

Thanks everyone for your tips!!!

[lostsoul23]

I just want to throw this out there, as a former third party collector --

While most debt collectors will take your verbal request to stop calling you at work, FDCPA says it needs to be in writing. If the agency refuses to give you their address, there are lots o ways to find it too.

Typically, the ones who become giant asshats about it are the ones who are not following the law either way, and openly violate the FDCPA hoping you don't know any better. Alot of them, too, won't give their addresses because you need an address to send a BK notice to.

[bluegirl2005]

Thanks for the information lostsoul23!

[gunsmoke]

I think everyone at my job knows i'm broke. Hell everyone around you is probably as broke as you. Some will admit it to you, some won't. I warned my supervisor early on that bill collectors would probably start hounding me. I think she yelled at everyone that called to not bother me at work that i'm on her time not theirs. Now they talk to my answer mach at home.

[bluegirl2005]

Hey Gunsmoke your probably right!!
I've told the boss about my bill problems so maybe she can answer the phone and tell them 'not on my time'.......LOL......

[fellowpoorman]

Simply Put, In Law " Less Is Is Best' Thatts The Info You Give Them Research