Where can I buy a ................

Radio shack

Save all the correspondences you have with the debt collector. You might be surprised to know that sometimes the actual wording or the font size on collection letters violates the FDCPA16.

Keep a phone log, note the time when the person called you and what was said during the conversation.

Don????????t delete the answering machine messages you have from the bill collector.

Leah gave you a nice suggestion. Buy an inexpensive telephone recording device at Radio Shack or a personal call logger. Or you can find various recording devices from online retailers.

Letters and other correspondences and audio recordings from the bill collector are the best evidences for a fdcpa case.

Radio shack costs $23-it works and its easy to use!

I believe that when recording a call, you must follow the laws of both states (your state and the state the collector is in). If you do not, then I believe you:

a) could end up committing a crime
b) risk not being able to admit the recording into evidence if you sue them
c) may ultimately have wasted $25 on a recorder

Plenty of options here:

radioshack.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&kw=phone%20recorder&origkw=phone%20recorder&sr=1

As Morningstar said, take the time to check your state laws in regard to recording a phone conversation. To be safe, you can always state at the beginning "This phone call is being recorded." Unless they state otherwise that they do not want it recorded, a continued conversation constitutes acceptance.

If legal in your state, then record the call. Chances are they won't even want the matter to go to court if you have the evidence of their nasty behavior. They don't want to take the chance that it will get in evidence. Even if it cannot get admitted in your case, it could be used in other cases against them. That's why CA's usually want a confidentiality clause in settlement agreements.