Debt collectors have a reputation—in some cases a well-deserved one—for being obnoxious, rude, and even scary while trying to get borrowers to pay up. The federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) was enacted to curb these annoying and abusive behaviors, but some debt collectors flout the law.
How do you deal with aggressive debt collectors?
How to Deal With Rude and Aggressive Debt Collectors
- Know Your Rights.
- Take Notes.
- Keep Your Emotions Under Control.
- Stop Trying to Explain Yourself.
- End the Call.
- Don’t Pick Up the Phone.
- Make Them Stop Calling.
- Dispute the Debt.
What happens if you don’t talk to a debt collector?
When you have a debt go to collection, your credit score will be seriously damaged. It will appear on your credit reports regardless of whether you try to work with the debt collector or not. However, if you do talk with the collector, you at least have the opportunity to explain what the problem is and to try to work something out.
What happens when you don’t pay a collection agency?
Just because you don’t pay on a debt doesn’t mean that the interest will go away. Depending on the contract that the collector has with the creditor and your state’s law, the agency may be able to add interest and collection costs to your debt. Some debtors have reported that their debt actually doubled over time.
What do debt collectors have to tell me about the debt?
A collector can contact other people to find out your address, your home phone number, and where you work, but usually can’t contact them more than once, and cannot tell them you owe a debt. What does the debt collector have to tell me about the debt?
Where do I report a debt collector for an alleged violation?
Where do I report a debt collector for an alleged violation? Report any problems you have with a debt collector to: your state attorney general’s office; the Federal Trade Commission; the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; Many states have their own debt collection laws that are different from the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
