Lies your Debt Collector will Tell You
Debt collection agencies have one goal in mind- to collect the debt that is owed by any means possible. This is how they make money, and their staff is trained to settle the debt as quickly as possible. There are laws and regulations that agencies are told to follow by the legal system.
Ideally, they share these regulations with their employees while training, but they are also training them to collect the debt. Many debt collection agents will lie, bargain, and even violate the law in order to collect your debt.
How Do I Qualify for Bankruptcy?
These lies can be so scary, they’ll have you wondering, “how do I qualify for bankruptcy?” Some lies are more common than others. Here are the most common lies that debt collectors will tell you.
Lie #1: I can talk to your family member about the situation and convince them to loan you the money
Debt collectors are prohibited from speaking to anyone about your financial situation except for you unless given express permission. If a debt collector offers to talk to a friend or family member for you, they are not trying to help. They are looking to gain personal information so that they can track you down if they lose touch. This means, if you give them permission, they will be able to contact that person in the future. Never give personal information to a debt collector without a lawyer’s involvement.
Lie #2: I don’t have information or I don’t have to prove this debt
Any debt collector that owns your debt needs to prove that you owe the debt. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you can request information about any debt being collected from you. A bill collector needs to send you detailed information upon request with payment history and the copy of the initial loan agreement. Not doing so when requested is in direct violation of the FDCPA.
Lie #3: If you do not pay, we will inform your employer or garnish your wages
Your employer does not have to know about your debts. The debt collector is not able to call your place of work if you have requested that they not do so. Garnishing your wages would require them to sue you, go to court, and receive a judgment. A debt collector cannot garnish your wages without a judgment being made through the courts. If someone threatens you with this, contact a lawyer immediately.
Hiring a lawyer will give you a variety of options for handling debt collectors. A lawyer can answer the question, how do I qualify for bankruptcy, defend your rights as a consumer against debt collection violations, and negotiate with your debt collectors on your behalf.
