Internet's first get-out-of-debt community - 123,000 members

bandibreath@aol.com

Is it legal for a debt collector to ask you personal questions about where you live, whether or not you are married, whether you live alone, and so forth in order to determine if you can pay a bill? I contacted Collection Company of America. They stated that they had my acct from AT & T. I would not be able to pay much on it but I am willing to pay something...he became rude with me and stated that you don't care about your credit rating...or paying this bill...etc..I told him that I make very little but of course he could care less. He threatened that since no payments had been received on the account that it will show up on my credit report and that further collection activity would probably ensue. He stated that in addition to what I already owe that interest will be charged on the acct. I told him that as long as they had the acct, that the agency could not tack on any interest to the account. He stated that according to the contract with AT & T, that they could. Would the acct be going back to them? I will contact an attorney Monday, and will also contact Debt consolidation to help. I cannot afford to pay these bills. Someone else ran up this bill and another one. Nonetheless, has anyone ever heard of Collection Company of America?

Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 7:45 am Subject: reply

another bottom feeder CA,if you type CCA you will find alot of posts about them.to answer your other question.they are not supposed to ask for or give personal information over the phone.so next time they call ask for a physical address.send a DV letter as well as a C&D letter.you can find an address when you do the search.it is good to request they give you there address,but from what i have seen on the forums.that most likely won't happen,but be comforted in the fact that they can't and won't do anything but call.

Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 1:25 pm Subject:

Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 4:00 pm Subject:

And you do not have to provide this information. If this debt is valid, they already have the information they need.

Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 8:15 am Subject:

They are likely just trying to be intimidating by putting you on the 'defensive' with all these personal questions.

You should send them a DV. Since he mentioned this contract, they must have a copy of it so it should be sent to you. I bet my last dollar he doesn't have a contract or anything and is just saying that.

Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 8:20 am Subject: ca

If a CA calls me with a debt, one of the FIRST questions they like to ask me is to "verify my SS# with them." Itell them ( every time) I don't give my SS# to people, over the phone, if i REALLY don't know who they are. RIGHT AWAY, they get defensive, tell me, " that they can't help me without a 'valid' SS#." I respond with, "if you DO have my SS#, then why are you asking me?" By that time, they hang up.

Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 10:10 am Subject:

Wow, I haven't seen a post from No Nonsense a while. I guess it's about time for some trolling.

I've had CA's ask how many kids I have, how old they are--they can ASK all they want. You don't have to answer--besides, a professional, legit CA won't ask questions that have nothing to do with your debt. I take these questions as threats.

bandibreath@aol.com · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 2:53 pm Subject: Trade places with struggling folk

To No Non Sense Collector. Why are you here? Are you behind on some debts yourself and you're trying to get info on how to get your own house in order? With all due respect, I would'nt trade places with you. Would you be willing to walk one day in the shoes of folk that are out here struggling with debt....? I don't think you would. Don't come off as so sanctimonious or "holier than thou"...I have seen in real life how people in your position wind up as folk in our position when they stand on that judgemental pedestal too long. Be more helpful and less judgemental.