By Manuel Tovar, September 08 – Hispanic Solutions Group
What Should You Do When A “Debt Collector” Calls You? Consumers should not fall for their tricks, of attempted scam, today we offer you some tips.
In order to prevent consumers from being surprised or scammed, by unscrupulous people who are dedicated to scam many people through phone calls, and in our desire to guide them and in some way ensure their economy, and not allow them to be scammed, today through Hispanic Solutions Group let us send you some advice.
After learning that there are many reports of scammed users, we allow ourselves to advise consumers not to give in to “false” harassment phone calls from alleged non-existent debt collectors, who try to pressure you into paying money that does not exist. has to.
Mafia scammers are being more skilled and demanding than ever and alleged debt collection scams are still active, so we recommend that you do not fall for the tricks of scammers, taking the necessary precautions and reporting them to the corresponding entities.
According to numerous complaints, scammers are calling consumers and informing them that they will be arrested by the local police if they do not immediately pay a payday loan that they took out months or even years before, it is one of the methods they use to scam consumers. consumers these criminals, trying to surprise consumers.
In most of the reported cases, residents have not even obtained those loans, but consumers have reported that they have paid hundreds of dollars, in great fear and to avoid the possibility of arrest. Criminals who call on the phone are stubborn and violate state and federal phone billing laws by calling home, cell and work numbers at any time of the day and night.
The scammers who make these types of calls are to annoy residents at home or embarrass innocent employees at their workplace, pressuring them to pay to stop the harassment or even the threat of potential job loss. Sowing panic among them. So the best protection against non-existent debt collection scams is knowing your rights. The following are some of your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act:
• Debt collectors are required by law to provide the information in writing. Ask the debt collector to provide you with an official “validation notice” of the debt. The notice must include the amount of the debt, the name of the creditor, and a statement of your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. If the self-proclaimed collector does not provide the information, hang up the phone,because the scammer will not achieve his objective, when he realizes that you will not “fall” in his intention to be a victim of his intention to scam you
• You must respond in writing within thirty days of receipt of the debt notice to avoid further action or contact by the collector. If you have any proof that the debt has been paid, you must also provide that. Your letter and any evidence contesting the debt must reach the debt collector’s place of business within thirty days. It is always a good idea when disputing a debt, to send your letter by certified mail and to require an acknowledging signature from the collector.
• A debt collector must show that you owe the money before they can continue to try to collect it if you dispute the debt in writing within 30 days.
• A debt collector cannot call you before 8 a.m. OR after 9 p.m. are established business hours.
• They also cannot harass, oppress, or abuse you. Swearing, repeated phone calls, or threats of violence are not allowed.
• A debt collector can’t call you at work if they know your employer doesn’t approve.
• They cannot keep calling if you request, in writing, that they only contact you by mail. However, they can still try to collect the debt.
• They can’t collect a debt you don’t owe, or a disputed debt, nor can they report it to the big three credit bureaus.
In addition, we provide the following three additional tips for receiving debt collection calls:
1. If you believe that a person calling you may be false, ask for their name, company, address and telephone number. Then do your research and check to confirm if the collection agency is real.
2. Never provide or confirm any bank account, credit card, or other personal information over the phone until you have verified the call.
3. Finally, check your credit report with the authorized entities. This will help you determine if you have outstanding debts or if there has been suspicious activity on your behalf. If a scammer has a lot of personal information about you, be careful and place a fraud alert on your credit report.
We invite you to follow our social networks: LinkendIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to find more information related to finances. Also on our YouTube channel The Credit Channel to learn how to improve your credit. If you need help in repairing your credit, disputing debts that do not belong to you, or other services, call us at (612) 216-1599.