866-237-6191

At 10:41am, I received a call from a Bryan Norfolk who claimed to be representing Maryland National Bank with a firm of Rubin & Yates. I was a little shocked because they called my WORK phone. I asked him how he got this number and he claimed it was public record available through the court. WRONG.

I let the guy spill his crap about I owed $4359.06 from a debt in 1993. He spoke quickly and said that an Affidavit was being filed against me in the Clark County Court and I would have to go to court on this debt unless I made arrangements with them today to make payment.

I then asked him his last name again. He stuttered and repeated his crap about taking me to court. I said well, I'll give you a fax number and you can fax your complaint over to me for review. He said he wasn't going to fax anything that if I didn't pay they were taking me to court. We went round and round with him claiming I needed to "cool my jets." Boy, don't tell me that!

Then I started gathering and making him repeat information which he didn't want to do. He claimed I was confrontational and I told him he was all hot to trot about who he represented and now he couldn't tell me? Meanwhile, I'm looking up his telephone number and came across this site. Then I let him have it. "I'm not going to cool my jets. Do you know the collection laws of Nevada? Apparently not, so let me tell you. IF this is my debt and it is now over 6 years old you cannot legally file a claim in court. Do you even  know what an Affidavit is? Do you know how to properly serve someone a complaint? It isn't done by an Affidavit and it isn't done over a phone. And, do you know that by contacting me at work you have violated Federal law?

He kept saying he was going to take me to court, yet wouldn't provide a complaint. I said, I have been to court numerous times in Clark County in the District Court, Justice Court, and going to the Supreme Court. There are rules that you are required to follow to serve someone a complaint, and this is not it! He said those rules did not matter. I said, The rules of the court DO matter, I am a paralegal. I know what I am talking about. Of course, he claimed I didn't. Whatever. So, eventually after being whipped, he hung up the phone.

Ten (10) minutes later someone else from his firm called me, Dan Hollister, and claimed to be an investigator. He said he had received my file and wanted to verify some information. I said, Yeah, you received my file about 10 minutes ago and go ahead, what information would you like to verify? How about the information that you all are in violation of Federal law? How about that you can't collect a debt (real or imagined) in the State of Nevada that is over 6 years old. He hung up too.

End of story. I am reporting these people to the FCC for their blatant violation of Federal laws. Let's see how they get theirs butts out of that court date. >:|

Correction: That is the FTC - Federal Trade Commission. www.ftc.gov
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/
Each and every person contacted by these people gather information to put in your complaint. Then file it. Let the Feds take care of their butts.

Some guy named rubin something or other called my mother about some card for jewelry thats overdue but gave no info to my mother.  The last jewellry I bought was 10 years ago so the statute of limitations has run out on it.

They are big offenders of the FCC Fair Credit Laws in regards to collections

That may be true, but you still can not use illegal methods to collect.  Get a grip

This place called Rubin & Yates is A SCAM SCAM SCAM!!!  They are trying to collect on a debt that is over 10 years old.  Its out of statue of limitations.  They threaten to take me to court, and freeze my bank account.  Luckily I fully know the FDCPA laws and they are the ones that are going to be getting the LAW SUIT.  I have them on tape and they are BUSTED!!!!  
If they call you I am sure they are not following the FDCPA laws. Make sure you have your tape recorder handy and turn them into Attorney General, then follow a lawsuit against them like I am.  I cant wait to get money out of those creeps....what a SCAM they are.

My Daughter received a call from this #, looking for me,. claiming to be a legal matter and were going to refer me to District Attorney. My daugher called them back and asked how they got her #. They claimed she was listed as my next of kin. Now they are harassing her. I have no outstanding debts, all discharge in Bankruptcy 3 years ago and would never write a bad check which could be referred to DA. I just ignored the call. Im so glad this website is here to stop loser jokers like these!

I did some research on them today, (RUBEN & YATES) and came to this site.  Some guy by the name of Mr. Evans called me a "[***]".  Only because i asked nicely to only contact me by mail  and to stop calling.  They are harrassing me at my job.  I am calling to make an AG complaint tommorow on this man.  He said he could tell by the sound of my voice that i am a "[***]".  I am a grown man, but that word can cut you like a knife.  I was so upset I had to leave work today.  I can't believe these people can get away with these types of things.  My wife and I are going to contact our attorney in the morning.  We are looking to file suit against this company.

I got a message today and these people are scam artists.  They are former credit workers who took files and are using information from credit card pre screening that cards do to send credit card pre approvals.  They are not a real company but people who want to auto draft accounts are "debts" to their own bank accounts.  People please contact your local police fraud units and then they can corporately track these people down. Do not send them money warn your friends and family this scam is out there!

Rubin/ YATES
                      8201 Main St.
                      Suite 10
                      Buffalo,N.Y. 14221

I found this from another site.

I just moved to this state and I have had friends that worked there for this law firm, I mean collection agency "LOL"... First of all, they got their business name Rubin&Yates from their doctors or dentist's... No, literally their doctors' names were R. Yates and Dr. Rubin, but to my understanding is that the owners all have great teeth LOL.......It is true the purchased debt that they buy is out of the statute of limitations in any state that you live in no matter what they say or attempt to do "Do not pay them" I mean not a dime; all it does is bring the debt back into current status and you have to start the process all over again and wait at least 4 yrs before it goes away. This crooked company pays practically nothing for their debt, less than 1 cent per dollar on what you owe and tries to charge you more than what you owe as well.... They call it overbilling an account which is highly illegal in any state that you reside in ...To my knowledge from my friend or associate they say that they give the collector will get 50% on anything that is overbilled.... If you owe $1000.00 and they charge you 2000.00 to pay your bill, the collector will get $500.00 and the owners keep the rest of your money .... This is absolutely ridiculous and again illegal .... And they call themselves businessmen trying to help the economy

OMG!  I got this message on my voicemail earlier this afternoon stating from a Mr. Mitchell who stated that I needed to respond by the end of today otherwise further legal issue was going to rise.  He provided me a case # and a call back # of 866-237-6191, ext. 115; however the # that appeared on my caller id was 716-650-2640.

Assuming this was pertaining to something urgent, I returned the call and before I could even ask why they're calling me, the operator was demanding that I verify the last 4 digits of my SSN, DOB, physical address and where I worked.  I declined to provide the information because they have not given any explanation to why I'm receiving these calls.  

Mr. Mitchell then asked for the spelling of my first name to which I gave him and the person who they were looking for had an entire planet difference in spelling.  He then stated to disregard the call and disconnected me.

Someone needs to do something about this SCAM!!!

Oh my goodness...thank you so much for the insight because I almost had a heart attack!

Why is everytime people post about BAD DEBT COLLECTORS AND THEIR PRACTICES
There is some debt collector that completely ignores what is posted about FDCPA violations and other illegal actions.  Then posts drivel like PAY YOUR BILLS!  

THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH PAYING LEGITIMATE DEBTS - ITS ABOUT SOME SCUMBAG COLLECTION AGENCY BREAKING THE LAW!

They called my parents, but they don't answer calls who they don't know are from.  Why did they call?

Received "urgent" robo-call from Reuben & Yates.  I answered the phone, but, of course, couldn't actually talk with anyone.  Instead, I need to listen to a recorded message that demands that I call THEM.  They don't say who they are trying to call or what the debt is about.  So far as I am concerned, there is no debt - but how do you get them to stop calling without calling them back?

After a little research, I discovered that this company called my mother.  They told her that her case was going to court today.  She does not own any debt.  She had never heard from this company before.  There was no previous contact.  No letter.  No validation of debt information.  The caller was Michael Campbell, and he was unneccesarily rude.  

He claimed that her original debt was from 1998.  She lives in Texas (and has lived there continuously for the past 40 years), where the statute of limitations on debt is only 4 years anyway!  Beyond that, it's not her debt, and he claimed that if she didn't take care of the payment immediately, the case would be in court this afternoon.

I understand that there are people out there who actually do owe money.  I realize that the people who are owed that money would like to be paid.  But to call up anyone, out of the blue, and threaten them will impending legal action without even validating the information is unconscionable, not to mention illegal.

This company has had at least 6 lawsuits (that I could find) filed against them in 6 states for FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT violations - New York, Georgia, Indiana, Florida, Illinois and Minnesota.  

If they call you, and you don't believe you owe the debt, send them a certified letter requesting debt validation.

I am reporting their behavior to the FTC, also.  With the BS they pulled on my mother, these guys are no different that any other thief, in my opinion.

I'm fairly certain this is the same individual that called my mother today from Rubin & Yates.  He is probably the same one that ILLEGALLY told her that if she didn't pay today, her case would be in court this afternoon.

I agree that there are people who have bad debts, and maybe debt collection is a necessary evil.  But regardless of anyone's debt, they should follow the law.  These scare tactics and threats are illegal.  And I'm sure some people "claim" not to owe the debts, but what about those that actually DON'T owe them.

Your entire post is BS.  That is likely what your dream is...that some poor slub will give you a hearty pat on the back and a "thank you for helping me clean up my life" when you bilk him for his 10 year old debt that you have inflated to 50 times its original value, only to cut the amount in half so that you can fool him into thinking he got a deal to go along with his newly "sanitized" conscience.

Nice try, Michael Campfield, or should I say "Michael Campbell", debt collector from Rubin & Yates! (If you don't believe me, call them and ask for him - (you can use this same number).

866 237 6191 Has called numerous related and unrelated people. Every time they tell these people that we are in a legal civil matter and they must here from us. Have filed with FTC a complaint about there practices. This is for a debt that is many years old. We are not denying the debt, just don't like to be harassed. If we had the $ we would settle it, there just beating a dead horse now.

LAMET - 21 Sep 2009
That is becoming the standard line from debt collectors that have no legal right to collect the debts they claim to be collecting.

File complaints with

Federal Trade Commission  https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=en

Your State Attorney General
State Attorney General is every state they have offices

Link to all State Attorney General Websites www.naag.org

If you or they are located in NY – use this SPECIAL Link  www.NYDebtHelp.com
This special website was created by NY AG Andrew Cuomo specifically for reporting illegal debt collection practices.  HE’S CRACKING DOWN AND SHUTTING THEM DOWN!

Also report your calls and contacts with debt collectors at http://www.budhibbs.com/index.html  If the company is listed under agencies – report there. If not on the list YET, click on Watchlist! and add to the list.   You can also post here http://www.collectorsexposed.com/forum2/index.php?board=2.0

Debt Collectors DO NOT WANT YOU TO KNOW THIS INFORMATION!    
The INFORMED CONSUMER IS THE DEBT COLLECTORS WORST ENEMY!

Dealing with Debt Collectors
http://www.budhibbs.com/start.html


Statute of Limitations by State – always double check YOUR OWN STATE Government Website
http://www.budhibbs.com/statute_of_limitations.htm


Recording calls from Debt Collectors - always double check YOUR OWN STATE Government Website
http://www.budhibbs.com/record.htm


From Federal Trade Commission Website – FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT
Debt Collection FAQs: A Guide for Consumers
If you’re behind in paying your bills, or a creditor’s records mistakenly make it appear that you are, a debt collector may be contacting you.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, enforces the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which prohibits debt collectors from using abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices to collect from you.
Under the FDCPA, a debt collector is someone who regularly collects debts owed to others. This includes collection agencies, lawyers who collect debts on a regular basis, and companies that buy delinquent debts and then try to collect them.
Here are some questions and answers about your rights under the Act.

What types of debts are covered?
The Act covers personal, family, and household debts, including money you owe on a personal credit card account, an auto loan, a medical bill, and your mortgage. The FDCPA doesn’t cover debts you incurred to run a business.

Can a debt collector contact me any time or any place?
No. A debt collector may not contact you at inconvenient times or places, such as before 8 in the morning or after 9 at night, unless you agree to it. And collectors may not contact you at work if they’re told (orally or in writing) that you’re not allowed to get calls there.

How can I stop a debt collector from contacting me?
If a collector contacts you about a debt, you may want to talk to them at least once to see if you can resolve the matter – even if you don’t think you owe the debt, can’t repay it immediately, or think that the collector is contacting you by mistake. If you decide after contacting the debt collector that you don’t want the collector to contact you again, tell the collector – in writing – to stop contacting you. Here’s how to do that:
Make a copy of your letter. Send the original by certified mail, and pay for a “return receipt” so you’ll be able to document what the collector received. Once the collector receives your letter, they may not contact you again, with two exceptions: a collector can contact you to tell you there will be no further contact or to let you know that they or the creditor intend to take a specific action, like filing a lawsuit. Sending such a letter to a debt collector you owe money to does not get rid of the debt, but it should stop the contact. The creditor or the debt collector still can sue you to collect the debt.

Can a debt collector contact anyone else about my debt?
If an attorney is representing you about the debt, the debt collector must contact the attorney, rather than you. If you don’t have an attorney, a collector may contact other people – but only to find out your address, your home phone number, and where you work. Collectors usually are prohibited from contacting third parties more than once. Other than to obtain this location information about you, a debt collector generally is not permitted to discuss your debt with anyone other than you, your spouse, or your attorney.

What does the debt collector have to tell me about the debt?
Every collector must send you a written “validation notice” telling you how much money you owe within five days after they first contact you. This notice also must include the name of the creditor to whom you owe the money, and how to proceed if you don’t think you owe the money.

Can a debt collector keep contacting me if I don’t think I owe any money?
If you send the debt collector a letter stating that you don’t owe any or all of the money, or asking for verification of the debt, that collector must stop contacting you. You have to send that letter within 30 days after you receive the validation notice. But a collector can begin contacting you again if it sends you written verification of the debt, like a copy of a bill for the amount you owe.

What practices are off limits for debt collectors?
Harassment. Debt collectors may not harass, oppress, or abuse you or any third parties they contact. For example, they may not:
   use threats of violence or harm;
   publish a list of names of people who refuse to pay their debts (but they can give this information to the credit reporting companies);
   use obscene or profane language; or
   repeatedly use the phone to annoy someone.

False statements. Debt collectors may not lie when they are trying to collect a debt. For example, they may not:
   falsely claim that they are attorneys or government representatives;
   falsely claim that you have committed a crime;
   falsely represent that they operate or work for a credit reporting company;
   misrepresent the amount you owe;
   indicate that papers they send you are legal forms if they aren’t; or
   indicate that papers they send to you aren’t legal forms if they are.

Debt collectors also are prohibited from saying that:
   you will be arrested if you don’t pay your debt;
   they’ll seize, garnish, attach, or sell your property or wages unless they are permitted by law to take the action and intend to do so; or
   legal action will be taken against you, if doing so would be illegal or if they don’t intend to take the action.

Debt collectors may not:
   give false credit information about you to anyone, including a credit reporting company;
   send you anything that looks like an official document from a court or government agency if it isn’t; or
   use a false company name.

Unfair practices. Debt collectors may not engage in unfair practices when they try to collect a debt. For example, they may not:
   try to collect any interest, fee, or other charge on top of the amount you owe unless the contract that created your debt – or your state law – allows the charge;
   deposit a post-dated check early;
   take or threaten to take your property unless it can be done legally; or
   contact you by postcard.

Can I control which debts my payments apply to?
Yes. If a debt collector is trying to collect more than one debt from you, the collector must apply any payment you make to the debt you select. Equally important, a debt collector may not apply a payment to a debt you don’t think you owe.

Can a debt collector garnish my bank account or my wages?
If you don’t pay a debt, a creditor or its debt collector generally can sue you to collect. If they win, the court will enter a judgment against you. The judgment states the amount of money you owe, and allows the creditor or collector to get a garnishment order against you, directing a third party, like your bank, to turn over funds from your account to pay the debt.
Wage garnishment happens when your employer withholds part of your compensation to pay your debts. Your wages usually can be garnished only as the result of a court order. Don’t ignore a lawsuit summons. If you do, you lose the opportunity to fight a wage garnishment.

Can federal benefits be garnished?
Many federal benefits are exempt from garnishment, including:
   Social Security Benefits
   Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits
   Veterans’ Benefits
   Civil Service and Federal Retirement and Disability Benefits
   Service Members’ Pay
   Military Annuities and Survivors’ Benefits
   Student Assistance
   Railroad Retirement Benefits
   Merchant Seamen Wages
   Longshoremen’s and Harbor Workers’ Death and Disability Benefits
   Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Benefits
   Compensation for Injury, Death, or Detention of Employees of U.S. Contractors Outside the U.S.
   Federal Emergency Management Agency Federal Disaster Assistance
But federal benefits may be garnished under certain circumstances, including to pay delinquent taxes, alimony, child support, or student loans.

Do I have any recourse if I think a debt collector has violated the law?
You have the right to sue a collector in a state or federal court within one year from the date the law was violated. If you win, the judge can require the collector to pay you for any damages you can prove you suffered because of the illegal collection practices, like lost wages and medical bills. The judge can require the debt collector to pay you up to $1,000, even if you can’t prove that you suffered actual damages. You also can be reimbursed for your attorney’s fees and court costs. A group of people also may sue a debt collector as part of a class action lawsuit and recover money for damages up to $500,000, or one percent of the collector’s net worth, whichever amount is lower. Even if a debt collector violates the FDCPA in trying to collect a debt, the debt does not go away if you owe it.

What should I do if a debt collector sues me?
If a debt collector files a lawsuit against you to collect a debt, respond to the lawsuit, either personally or through your lawyer, by the date specified in the court papers to preserve your rights.

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 (www.naag.org) and the Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov). Many states have their own debt collection laws that are different from the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Your Attorney General’s office can help you determine your rights under your state’s law.

For More Information
To learn more about debt collection and other credit-related issues, visit www.ftc.gov/credit and MyMoney.gov, the U.S. government’s portal to financial education.
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
       February

That is becoming the standard line from debt collectors that have no legal right to collect the debts they claim to be collecting.

File complaints with

Federal Trade Commission  https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=en

Your State Attorney General
State Attorney General is every state they have offices

Link to all State Attorney General Websites www.naag.org

If you or they are located in NY – use this SPECIAL Link  www.NYDebtHelp.com
This special website was created by NY AG Andrew Cuomo specifically for reporting illegal debt collection practices.  HE’S CRACKING DOWN AND SHUTTING THEM DOWN!

Also report your calls and contacts with debt collectors at http://www.budhibbs.com/index.html  If the company is listed under agencies – report there. If not on the list YET, click on Watchlist! and add to the list.   You can also post here http://www.collectorsexposed.com/forum2/index.php?board=2.0

Debt Collectors DO NOT WANT YOU TO KNOW THIS INFORMATION!    
The INFORMED CONSUMER IS THE DEBT COLLECTORS WORST ENEMY!

Dealing with Debt Collectors
http://www.budhibbs.com/start.html


Statute of Limitations by State – always double check YOUR OWN STATE Government Website
http://www.budhibbs.com/statute_of_limitations.htm


Recording calls from Debt Collectors - always double check YOUR OWN STATE Government Website
http://www.budhibbs.com/record.htm


From Federal Trade Commission Website – FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT
Debt Collection FAQs: A Guide for Consumers
If you’re behind in paying your bills, or a creditor’s records mistakenly make it appear that you are, a debt collector may be contacting you.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, enforces the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which prohibits debt collectors from using abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices to collect from you.
Under the FDCPA, a debt collector is someone who regularly collects debts owed to others. This includes collection agencies, lawyers who collect debts on a regular basis, and companies that buy delinquent debts and then try to collect them.
Here are some questions and answers about your rights under the Act.

What types of debts are covered?
The Act covers personal, family, and household debts, including money you owe on a personal credit card account, an auto loan, a medical bill, and your mortgage. The FDCPA doesn’t cover debts you incurred to run a business.

Can a debt collector contact me any time or any place?
No. A debt collector may not contact you at inconvenient times or places, such as before 8 in the morning or after 9 at night, unless you agree to it. And collectors may not contact you at work if they’re told (orally or in writing) that you’re not allowed to get calls there.

How can I stop a debt collector from contacting me?
If a collector contacts you about a debt, you may want to talk to them at least once to see if you can resolve the matter – even if you don’t think you owe the debt, can’t repay it immediately, or think that the collector is contacting you by mistake. If you decide after contacting the debt collector that you don’t want the collector to contact you again, tell the collector – in writing – to stop contacting you. Here’s how to do that:
Make a copy of your letter. Send the original by certified mail, and pay for a “return receipt” so you’ll be able to document what the collector received. Once the collector receives your letter, they may not contact you again, with two exceptions: a collector can contact you to tell you there will be no further contact or to let you know that they or the creditor intend to take a specific action, like filing a lawsuit. Sending such a letter to a debt collector you owe money to does not get rid of the debt, but it should stop the contact. The creditor or the debt collector still can sue you to collect the debt.

Can a debt collector contact anyone else about my debt?
If an attorney is representing you about the debt, the debt collector must contact the attorney, rather than you. If you don’t have an attorney, a collector may contact other people – but only to find out your address, your home phone number, and where you work. Collectors usually are prohibited from contacting third parties more than once. Other than to obtain this location information about you, a debt collector generally is not permitted to discuss your debt with anyone other than you, your spouse, or your attorney.

What does the debt collector have to tell me about the debt?
Every collector must send you a written “validation notice” telling you how much money you owe within five days after they first contact you. This notice also must include the name of the creditor to whom you owe the money, and how to proceed if you don’t think you owe the money.

Can a debt collector keep contacting me if I don’t think I owe any money?
If you send the debt collector a letter stating that you don’t owe any or all of the money, or asking for verification of the debt, that collector must stop contacting you. You have to send that letter within 30 days after you receive the validation notice. But a collector can begin contacting you again if it sends you written verification of the debt, like a copy of a bill for the amount you owe.

What practices are off limits for debt collectors?
Harassment. Debt collectors may not harass, oppress, or abuse you or any third parties they contact. For example, they may not:
  use threats of violence or harm;
  publish a list of names of people who refuse to pay their debts (but they can give this information to the credit reporting companies);
  use obscene or profane language; or
  repeatedly use the phone to annoy someone.

False statements. Debt collectors may not lie when they are trying to collect a debt. For example, they may not:
  falsely claim that they are attorneys or government representatives;
  falsely claim that you have committed a crime;
  falsely represent that they operate or work for a credit reporting company;
  misrepresent the amount you owe;
  indicate that papers they send you are legal forms if they aren’t; or
  indicate that papers they send to you aren’t legal forms if they are.

Debt collectors also are prohibited from saying that:
  you will be arrested if you don’t pay your debt;
  they’ll seize, garnish, attach, or sell your property or wages unless they are permitted by law to take the action and intend to do so; or
  legal action will be taken against you, if doing so would be illegal or if they don’t intend to take the action.

Debt collectors may not:
  give false credit information about you to anyone, including a credit reporting company;
  send you anything that looks like an official document from a court or government agency if it isn’t; or
  use a false company name.

Unfair practices. Debt collectors may not engage in unfair practices when they try to collect a debt. For example, they may not:
  try to collect any interest, fee, or other charge on top of the amount you owe unless the contract that created your debt – or your state law – allows the charge;
  deposit a post-dated check early;
  take or threaten to take your property unless it can be done legally; or
  contact you by postcard.

Can I control which debts my payments apply to?
Yes. If a debt collector is trying to collect more than one debt from you, the collector must apply any payment you make to the debt you select. Equally important, a debt collector may not apply a payment to a debt you don’t think you owe.

Can a debt collector garnish my bank account or my wages?
If you don’t pay a debt, a creditor or its debt collector generally can sue you to collect. If they win, the court will enter a judgment against you. The judgment states the amount of money you owe, and allows the creditor or collector to get a garnishment order against you, directing a third party, like your bank, to turn over funds from your account to pay the debt.
Wage garnishment happens when your employer withholds part of your compensation to pay your debts. Your wages usually can be garnished only as the result of a court order. Don’t ignore a lawsuit summons. If you do, you lose the opportunity to fight a wage garnishment.

Can federal benefits be garnished?
Many federal benefits are exempt from garnishment, including:
  Social Security Benefits
  Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits
  Veterans’ Benefits
  Civil Service and Federal Retirement and Disability Benefits
  Service Members’ Pay
  Military Annuities and Survivors’ Benefits
  Student Assistance
  Railroad Retirement Benefits
  Merchant Seamen Wages
  Longshoremen’s and Harbor Workers’ Death and Disability Benefits
  Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Benefits
  Compensation for Injury, Death, or Detention of Employees of U.S. Contractors Outside the U.S.
  Federal Emergency Management Agency Federal Disaster Assistance
But federal benefits may be garnished under certain circumstances, including to pay delinquent taxes, alimony, child support, or student loans.

Do I have any recourse if I think a debt collector has violated the law?
You have the right to sue a collector in a state or federal court within one year from the date the law was violated. If you win, the judge can require the collector to pay you for any damages you can prove you suffered because of the illegal collection practices, like lost wages and medical bills. The judge can require the debt collector to pay you up to $1,000, even if you can’t prove that you suffered actual damages. You also can be reimbursed for your attorney’s fees and court costs. A group of people also may sue a debt collector as part of a class action lawsuit and recover money for damages up to $500,000, or one percent of the collector’s net worth, whichever amount is lower. Even if a debt collector violates the FDCPA in trying to collect a debt, the debt does not go away if you owe it.

What should I do if a debt collector sues me?
If a debt collector files a lawsuit against you to collect a debt, respond to the lawsuit, either personally or through your lawyer, by the date specified in the court papers to preserve your rights.

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 (www.naag.org) and the Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov). Many states have their own debt collection laws that are different from the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Your Attorney General’s office can help you determine your rights under your state’s law.

For More Information
To learn more about debt collection and other credit-related issues, visit www.ftc.gov/credit and MyMoney.gov, the U.S. government’s portal to financial education.
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
      February

repeated phone calls looking for someone that no longer lives at this address.  I spoke to these people telling them this and keep receiving calls.  do not want to receive anymore calls!