Is there no justice for rogue debt collectors?

Maybe you could trying to google it and see what that comes up with...

They didn't violate any laws by contacting your neighbor. They would have if they informed her that you owe a debt. They are allowed to give out a company name and say they are a collections agency.

You need to send in a debt verification request letter by certified mail to get the information that you desire.

This is a common tactic they use called Skip Tracing--where they call a neighbor or a job and pretend to be your best friend to get a current address or phone number. My sister had to do this when she was a collector--and wound up calling about a guy who a known serial murderer in her locality!! (Guess he moved to the State Pen, right?)

Let me add this...they cannot tell your neighbor they are a debt collector because that is a violation of your rights. That is considered 3rd party violation and is punishable under the fdcpa. They cannot share any info that leads another person to believe your getting a call about a debt. They can however leave their company name.

Good info!
Thanks Crafty!

I hope you are right Crafty! What FYI posted was scary and I was hoping she was wrong. It would be a violation for a CA to tell a neighbor that you owe a debt. But, it is NOT a violation for a CA to tell your neighbor you are calling from a collection agency? Please can someone clear this up for me?

Just a point of clarification. You don't just get $1,000 for a violation. You have to sue for it. And the state AG won't be able to do that for you. They can tell you your rights, and write a letter to the DC, but that's about it.

Contact a private consumer lawyer. See naca.net for a national directory.

Sam, please answer, if you can, whether collector can call your neighbor and tell them they are a collection agency or not? And if they can, how is that NOT telling your neightbor that they are attempting to collect a debt? Just curious. Thanks.

Right,
Because if they say they are a collection agency, the assumption is that they are collecting on a debt--even if they don't say which one.

All the DC can ask a third party is for your contact information. Once they have it, they have to stop calling them. They cannot tell the third party they are a debt collector. If they did, you can sue them.

All a collector can do is really ask your neighbor if you still live there and if they have a number. They can not solicit them to take a message but it's pretty easy to get them to offer to take one without asking.

If they ask if you are a debt collector you have two options, hang up or answer the question. A debt collector can not misrepresent themselves.