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How to make sure you are not harassed for a paid debt in the future?  

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Anytime there is an unknown on the caller id, or a number I don't recognize I let the machine pick it up. Lately, we have been getting messages that are cryptic, stating it is an important business matter, but not stating who is calling and we need to reply. If we respond, could this possibly be a trap?
Also, after you pay a collection agency, isn't it customary to receive some sort of receipt showing that your debt is paid? If not what should you do to ensure you are not harassed for that same debt in the future?
 

asked Dec 12, 2005 06:21 AM

kcdoan

17Answers

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The calls I have received that said it was an important business matter and didn't leave the name of the company were always collection calls from companies that were a nightmare to deal with. Some of the companies I have paid debts to have sent letters showing the debt paid and others have not.

answered Dec 12, 2005 08:37 AM

Anonymous
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Hi kcdoan

Welcome to the forums.

You need to pick up the phone and get in touch with the person who can tell you about your debt account.

As you are not picking up the phone, the recording might sound disturbing and it won't do any help either. Talk to the person and know the purpose of the call. This won't put you in any trap.

Make sure that the person calling you is in contact with the right person. Do not give any of your personal information before you know the valid reason of this call.

After you pay off an account in full, the collection agency must update your account with the credit bureau. They might also send you in writing about this before the agreement is finalized. If they do not, it is your legal right to force them and get the needful done. Once the account is shown as 'paid collection' in your credit report, no other debt collector can contact you for the same account.

Regards
Roxette

answered Dec 12, 2005 11:17 AM

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Thank you for your reply

answered Dec 12, 2005 12:29 PM

Anonymous
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it is against the law for a collector to state the nature of the call on an answering machine. all collection messages are going to be very vague. what if you have a huge family who checks the messages. would you like them knowing you're in collections? most likely not.

answered Dec 13, 2005 08:21 AM

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Quote:

Do not give any of your personal information before you know the valid reason of this call.


actually, i would suggest the opposite. i would cooperate with the rep in verifying the address on file and possible the ss#. if you don't feel comfortable giving out your full ss# then just give your last 4 digits.

the problem is, the rep will not be able to fully state the reason of the call until they have id'd the correct person. and it might be necessary to give some personal info to id.

answered Dec 13, 2005 08:23 AM

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Collector Matt,
When my husband had his idenity stolen in July, the Sheriffs Department and the TBI and the FBI all stated to never ever give your ss# or any personal information over the phone because you don't know who is actually getting the information. The detective stated that not to even give the last four digits. To have the place calling read you the number and account number, etc and you can verify. debt collectors get very irrate when we do this, but it is for our protection.

answered Dec 13, 2005 08:52 AM

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sure, but if a collector can't id the person, the calls will continue. do you also see those commercials on tv that state neve to give out your account #s? it's a bunch of bull. these are companies and organizations who merely want to look like they are protecting consumers and citizens. if you call your telephone company to start service, you have to give them your ss#. now how do you know that rep isn't going to take your personal information home and start using it? if you ever need a replacement ss card, they are sent to you via standard mail. how do you know the postal carrier isn't going to steal it? i just made my car payment yesterday over the phone, how do i know my line wasn't tapped and someone got my credit card #?

actually, i enjoy it when people refuse to id themselves. that means i can call them tomorrow and probe again. sure it makes them mad, but if they simply give the information requested it could all be ended in a second. there is no harm in verify someone's address or the last 4 digits of someone's ss#.

answered Dec 13, 2005 08:57 AM

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So what you are telling me is that you wouldn't read the ss# and address to me and have me verify it?

answered Dec 13, 2005 09:04 AM

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If the collector is calling the correct person with all the account info, then he should not object giving the details he has. Why will the person have to give his own details to someone about whom he never heard? CA sometimes makes mistakes in locating the person but not everyone of them.

This way, anyone can present himself as a CA and get my personal info. I believe if the collector is having the proper details, he should not object in putting it in words to the consumer.

answered Dec 13, 2005 10:49 AM

ben
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I actually had a collector call me and he did not ask who I was, he just continued to ask me questions saying he was doing a job interview on me and was calling this number about a reference on me! I played along and said she was a good worker........., then he asked if I had a current address on me.
Well I was so confused until that point because I had not applied for a job, I realized he was a collector! I told him who he was talking to, he felt quite suprised, but I could not believe he lied about who he was to get information on me. It was his fault for actually calling me and not knowing it, but still so suprising.

answered Dec 13, 2005 07:31 PM

Anonymous
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