Bill Collectors

[poohkari]

Why do they call you super early in the morning, yell at you, then tell you they are "just trying to help"?

I owe close to $8,000 on student loans. I've had a ton of moves nad jumping around, and I kept up with the DEA and kept sending them pay stubs so they saw I really couldnt afford to pay them back yet. Well, somehow, after I thought I had a year left on my deferral, I got a call this morning out of the blue from a nasty woman who had the audacity to ask me if I could pay it ont he spot! She refused to send me anything in the mail about her company, and how they got my loan, and kept asking me if I could pay anything to her today.

I know it was irresponsible of me to just kind of let it go. However, my student loans have been the least of my worries - I forget they are there, because I didnt even graduate! I just dont understand why they are so MEAN. I'm only not paying becuase i'm poor - trust me, if I had money, they'd be paid! Why dont they understand this? Like, if they keep yelling at me, I will magically pull 8g's out my butt!

I just want to make sure this is legit. I know it is, but its kind of shady to send money to people youve never heard of who claim you owe them money. I think I might just cal lthe education department.

[glitter]

I recently had one tell me 'Do you think you can just get medical help and not pay for it?' We have two insurances, and they are still mean about the little we owe!!

Now I just laugh and say 'you'll get it when I got it!! and I hang up on them!!" If they call you right back tell them your going to call the state attorney on them- they are not allowed to harrass you, and if you want documentation- they have to provide it.



DON'T FORGET- THEY CAN'T EAT YOU!!!!!!

[boxman55]

If you tell them to stop calling you and only deal with you through the mail, THEY MUST! Don't let them get a way with that. Tell them to notify you by mail period...Boxman

[angela515]

You need to #1) Tell them to stop calling you, and they need to correspond with you ONLY in writing. (They have to abide, it is the law), #2, When they mail you the collection letter, you need to request validation of this debt.

I can help you, I have been dealing with Collection Agencys since I turned the age of 18 from all my bills when I was under age... I have done TONS of research on them, I can give you a few websites that have the laws on what you need to do to get rid of them and what they can or cannot do..and so on...

[paddbear0000]

Here are a few great sites I have used:

http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpa/fdcpact.htm
http://creditboards.com/forums/index.php?s=4b55cadbcebf0cddbe8aeb13c384d352&showforum=29 (this site is AWESOME and sooo helpful!)
http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fcb/fcb.pdf
http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/031224fcra.pdf

Oh, and just mention you have a lawyer, and they go away. Trust me, it works every time--I made quite a few collection agencies go away. Most of them practice illegal activity and don't even want to hear the mention of a lawyer. Practically everything they do is illegal under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. I can't tell you how many letters I've written quoting this Act and how often the collection agencies stopped their illegal activity. First of all, just by the woman not identifying herself, that was illegal. So is calling someone between the hours of 9 pm and 8 am, as well as more than one letter every 30 days. Here is just one section of the Act:

§ 806.  Harassment or abuse  [15 USC 1692d]

A debt collector may not engage in any conduct the natural consequence of which is to harass, oppress, or abuse any person in connection with the collection of a debt. Without limiting the general application of the foregoing, the following conduct is a violation of this section:

    (1) The use or threat of use of violence or other criminal means to harm the physical person, reputation, or property of any person.

    (2) The use of obscene or profane language or language the natural consequence of which is to abuse the hearer or reader.

    (3) The publication of a list of consumers who allegedly refuse to pay debts, except to a consumer reporting agency or to persons meeting the requirements of section 603(f) or 604(3)1 of this Act.

    (4) The advertisement for sale of any debt to coerce payment of the debt.

    (5) Causing a telephone to ring or engaging any person in telephone conversation repeatedly or continuously with intent to annoy, abuse, or harass any person at the called number.

    (6) Except as provided in section 804, the placement of telephone calls without meaningful disclosure of the caller's identity.

[okarol]

Student loans are in a different league and have a lot more leeway about what they can do to collect past due loans:
http://www.carreonandassociates.com/articles/student-loan-collections.htm

[angela515]

Yes, Student Loans are nothing to mess with.. Student Loans actually are one of the few things that can actually be garnished from Social Security Disability (for those getting it).

[boxman55]

Yes, Student Loans are nothing to mess with.. Student Loans actually are one of the few things that can actually be garnished from Social Security Disability (for those getting it).

Do you know if medical bills can be garnished from SSDI?? ....Boxman

[angela515]

boxman, they cannot be. 

So far, from what I have been told by the government, these items can be garnished from SSI and SSDI checks:

* IRS
* Child Support
* Student Loans

That is all I know of as of this moment.

[Black]

Yes, as previously stated, student loans are in a different category and contacting the original source of the loan may be a good idea.

Since many collectors of other debts do operate illegally, just don't deal with them.  Tell them "Do not call again.  You must limit contact to mail only."  and hang up.  Get a caller ID, and either voice mail or an answering machine.  If you don't recognize the number don't answer and let them leave a message.  In a few weeks they'll give up and sell the account for pennies on the dollar to another company.  Then the calls will start again.  In a few weeks they sell it for even less to another company.  The account may change hands several times over more than a year before someone finally decides there is no money to collect, they write off the account and the calls finally completely stop.

[goofynina]

It doesnt matter who it is that is calling, they act like it is THEIR money that you owe, i have gotten into some doozies with these S.O.B's and it has gotten the point when i ask them how do they sleep at night knowing they call and harrass a person that needs a machine to live for their money,  it may not shut them up but i hope they at least feel bad for a split second (or 2 or 3)   If you only knew half the things i tell these people, 

[angela515]

It doesnt matter who it is that is calling, they act like it is THEIR money that you owe, i have gotten into some doozies with these S.O.B's and it has gotten the point when i ask them how do they sleep at night knowing they call and harrass a person that needs a machine to live for their money,  it may not shut them up but i hope they at least feel bad for a split second (or 2 or 3)   If you only knew half the things i tell these people, 

Some of my fav things to tell them is "I am not working." They then ask, When will you be working? I then smile and say "I dont know, I havent worked in 3 years... now stop calling me"

I have other's... its fun to mess with them.

[okarol]

I worked doing mortgage collections as a temp job once - man, people do all kinds of stuff to avoid taking the call, like having their kids say they are on the toilet. I'm glad i didn't have to do that for a full-time job - it's stressful to hear people's stories! I know we had to write down everything, because they keep a record of what is said. So don't make up stories and don't agree to a payment plan that you cannot reasonably meet. If you feel harassed, say so. They are required to stop if the person mentions harassment. If you say that you have been advised by legal aide to not discuss your financial situation without them first sending you written documentation by certified mai, it will force them to give you an accounting and proof of what you owe. When I was doing collections, I would be nice to people who were polite and who didn't bullshit me. I know it's hard, because a lot of collections people are so bitter, it's a crappy job, so they just turn into bots and demand you pay, and repeat the same thing over and over. But try being really nice, "thanks for the reminder call, we are working on a solution, hope you have a nice day" but don't give any details, unless you have a serious problem and telling them might buy you more time. By the way, this is not professional advice, just my two cents!

[angela515]

That is correct, dont make up stories... I don't, I have not worked in 3 yrs, Jan will be 4 yrs, and I really dont know when I will be working again... so, they can take it, write it down and copy print it.. haha. 

[scooter26]

These two boards have good info on credit laws etc... and one has an area for student loans.

www creditinfocenter com
www debtorboards com

Read up and know your rights with them.  I actually sued one for their actions and won enough to go to Hawaii.  I sent them a postcard.
They were harassing me for something I didn't actually owe which was a medical bill that per the EOB's I had should have been contractually written off by the provider who turned me over to them.   I know that the patients on this board must get so very many bills and eob's but it is really important to go over each one.   I hope this info is helpful.

[poohkari]

Thanks for your help, everyone! It's super helpful and now i'm ready for them when they call tomorrow!

[glitter]

 

[Sluff]

Yes, Student Loans are nothing to mess with.. Student Loans actually are one of the few things that can actually be garnished from Social Security Disability (for those getting it).

Do you know if medical bills can be garnished from SSDI?? ....Boxman

I'm not a hundred percent sure but I don't think medical bills can take anything from SSDI checks.

[angela515]

Yes, Student Loans are nothing to mess with.. Student Loans actually are one of the few things that can actually be garnished from Social Security Disability (for those getting it).

Do you know if medical bills can be garnished from SSDI?? ....Boxman

I'm not a hundred percent sure but I don't think medical bills can take anything from SSDI checks.

That is one thing I am 100% sure about, they cannot garnish SSDI checks.

[boxman55]

what about checking and savings accounts. Can they garnish them???    Boxman

[Sluff]

what about checking and savings accounts. Can they garnish them???    Boxman

Yes if you have more than $ 999.00 in them without a court order. Any amount with a court order. Wisconsin Law.

[thegrammalady]

i'm not sure about student loans because they are a different animal all together. however anything else, DON'T TALK TO THEM PERIOD there is a statute of limitations, however if you are past that date and the original agency you owe to has sold the "loan" and you give information to the new owner the time limit starts all over. DON'T SAY ANYTHING, JUST HANG UP.

if you are younger you will eventually figure out a way to pay off those that you can. if you're on disability you can't afford new credit anyway, so who cares what your credit rating is anyway. just my personal opinion, but it works for me.

[boxman55]

what about checking and savings accounts. Can they garnish them???    Boxman

Yes if you have more than $ 999.00 in them without a court order. Any amount with a court order. Wisconsin Law.

That sucks I might have to go back to the mattress account...Boxman

[Sluff]

what about checking and savings accounts. Can they garnish them???    Boxman

Yes if you have more than $ 999.00 in them without a court order. Any amount with a court order. Wisconsin Law.

That sucks I might have to go back to the mattress account...Boxman

I have several accounts not all in my name. Now if only I had money to put in them 

[paddbear0000]

I jus t declared bankruptcy a year ago because of my medical expenses and other debt. After being unemployed for 2 years, I had no other way out. I must tell you, the weight sure has been lifted and no more creditors!!!