Question after filing pro se

[akcire]

My husband and I filed pro se on October 12, 2005. I sent out some letters to some of our creditors letting them know that we filed so that they stop harassing us. Well we are still getting calls and past due notices from some.
We've had some that have been asking all sorts of questions.
First they asked for our attorney information, we don't have one (can't afford one).
So they kept asking us for our case number and some document that they said we were suppose to get from the courthouse to send them.
Is it ok to give these creditors our case number so they can confirm and stop harassing?
I don't know how much info I am obligated to give and I don't want to give TOO much out either.
Thanks in advance for all your help!!

[StaciMM]

The court normally mails out notices (everyone in your list of creditors will get it) a week or so after filing. If you filed on 10/12, the creditors are probably starting to receive them.

Yes, you can give out your case #. I think it is standard for a creditor to ask for attorney/case # when you inform them you've filed. They're not used to the 'no attorney' answer. W/ one creditor I talked to-the lady paused and then asked "are you an attorney?" Without a case #, anyone can say they filed-but it doesn't mean anything. (Kind of like the check is in the mail!)

[skincomplicity]

I filed ProSe also. And 2 of my creditors keep trying to contact me.One of them I told I have filed BK and they should have received notice from the court already. They asked for atty info, told them I represent myself , and that they are not to be contacting me now that I have informed them ,per automatic stay. They asked for a case number , but I didn't have it on me. They are still calling! And every time I answer , it happens to be when I dont have the case number with me. As far as I know , once you tell them about automatic stay they should not be calling you at all. The other cc keeps calling with an automated message about paying my bill but it doesnt give you an option to speak to a person so I can inform them. I did notice in Pacer that both of those companies were MAILED notices , where others were sent electronic notices from the court. This may be why some cc's take longer to acknowledge notice of BK.

[AAAArt]

There is a lot of info you might find helpful under the "collections site" on this forum. The short of it is that you can tell them that you have filed BK and both you and the court have sent letters to the company informing this. Tell them that you demand that they "cease and desist" fro calling you any more and that this phone call is being taped and that all future ones will also be taped. (You can pick up a rather inexpensive little machine from Radio Shack which you can use to monitor the calls.)
There are actually a lot more laws and stronger legal language which you can use, but if you "demand that they cease and desist from contacting you by phone" then they must abide by that or you can sue them. My understanding is that those who have done this, when they've been re-called and told that you have already given notice to the company and that the calls are being taped, that they normall apologize and hang-up.
I'm not an expert on this, so you may also have to write a "cease and desist" letter to the company.
The reason you are still getting calls is that the company is in no hurry to put the word out and delete your name from the call list.
Yes, give them your case number. No sweat. It's not a secret to your creditors anymore. You just need to get off of their "call list" one way or another. The recorded message surely gives a number to call back or the name of the company. Call them and give them the info along w/ the instructions stated above. Best wishes, Art

[akcire]

Thanks for all this helpful information!! We have noticed a lack of phone calls and letters, so have a few stubborn creditors to take care of.