Harassing calls from a debt collector? Here is what you need to know

i would like to find out how much a collection agency paid for the debt from the original creditor - they will not reveal that info,even when i offered the possibility of making payment arrangements to repay whatever that amount might be so the agency could at least be made whole again.

any ideas how this info can be obtained ???

thanks

That is fine, but why must I go to the time and expense of sending a letter to each new collector that tries to collect the debt from someone that I have no contact with???

now thats an oxymoron, Honest Collection Agency

http://www.budhibbs.com/debtcollectorpages/redline_recovery_services_cmts.htm

They also use the name Netwolves Network, read the site above, these people are under investigation.

Washington DC 20039 (202)478-0793

Your window of opportunity to avoid a lawsuit and process server is 4 years. After 4 years of no activity on an account,by no activity, that means no payment to the original credit company.  These people who "buy" these debts know this, it is important not to talk to them at all. REMEMBER
you are not obligated to pay but many collection agencies will continue to harass you long after the 4 years are up because many people who don't know their rights will pay the bill just to stop the harassment.

Things never to say to a debt collector: Tell them to "Cease and Desist" or "Stop calling me" and the next step on
their part may be a lawsuit against you. That's because once you tell them to stop contacting you, you have broken off negotiations and they can no longer call you. . But what they can do is file a lawsuit against you to collect. STOP making payments immediately.

When you get these calls do not talk to them, hang up.  STOP MAKING PAYMENTS, IF YOU MAKE ONE PAYMENT TO THE BOTTOM FEEDER WHO BOUGHT YOUR DEBT THEN YOU START THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ALL OVER AGAIN.  IF YOU HAVE NOT MADE A PAYMENT IN 4 YEARS TO THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR THEN THE STATUTES OF LIMITATIONS HAVE RUN OUT.  

THESE COLLECTORS THINK ALL PEOPLE ARE STUPID, SO GET SMART AND ACT SMART, LEARN ALL ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS.

Thank you!  That is what I want to do.  How do I do that?  Must I pay it in full or can I work out an agreement?

What I've done in the past, b/c unfortunately I've had to deal with unruly debt collector, is ask them where I can send a payment and for their number in case you want to make a payment over the phone. They will be more than happy to do this for you since they think they're getting money. Then- you report them to the FTC, State Atty General's Office or another entity (like fugatelaw.com). Also, check your credit report to see if the debt they're inquiring about is on there (freecreditreport.com will give you 1 report/yr for free for all bureaus). They have every right to call-but they don't have a right to harass you, and the law is very clear on what harassment is in terms of collecting a debt.

Does this only apply for Credit Cards? Does this work with the Sallie Mae student loans?  Please reply, thanks.

Personally I think it's wise to keep track of your spending. If you know you pay your bills on time and you know where your money is going then you will also know that these calls are a fraud or these calls are not for intended you.

It's kinda funny that I never received as many telephone calls like this until I registered on the "Do Not Call List"...........hhmmmmm?????

I received 8 or 9 calls per day from some law firm in chicago. It is a recording that says "this message is for" and mispronounces my name (and not in a recognizable way). I finally got fed up and called back.  When I asked them why they were calling me, the person hung up.  I called back and told them that their phone keeps showing up on my caller ID and I wanted to know why. I said because they hung up on my they had no right to contact me. Long story short, I demanded a letter stating the amount they were trying to collect (never admitting that I owed anything). I also informed them that by law, they could not contact me until I received the letter.  The calls stopped for 1 day.  Then I started receiving calls with "unknown name unknown number" on the ID and the same computer voice misspelling my name. I knew it was them, so I followed the instructions on the recording, wrote down the number and contacted the State's attorney's office.  I finally got my letter, stating the amount I owe along with the statement "the final balance may be different due to interest being charged" They cant charge interest on a collection!  I sent the letter to the states attorney's office.  

Finally I sent them a letter back, stating the terms of my repayment plan - .5% of the balance each month until paid off. (roughly about 5 dollars a month) They have not called since.

Sallie Mae will take your income tax returns (all of it, not just a portion) until your debt is paid.  I'm not sure, but I think you can be taken to court to be forced to pay.  And if you plan to purchase a home, you can probably forget that as well. Defaulting on student loans will ruin your chances even though you have perfect credit for everything else.

Check salliemae.com for its statements on defaulting on loans.

The best suggestion is to keep in contact with them, because they will work with you to try to pay it off.

Another note, Bankruptcy does not work. Your bankruptcy attorney will tell you that your student loans are not discharged as a result of bankruptcy, bill consolidation will not touch them either.

Another list with the laws on tape recording your phone conversation:
http://www.pimall.com/nais/n.tel.tape.law.html#anchor373433

I don't understand,you mean that these people bought and paid for other people's debt's? What do they get out of it some of the money that you pay to the company that you owe money to?

This explains the law on recording conversations:http://www.pimall.com/nais/n.recordlaw.html

Regarding the times when a debt collector is allowed to call, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act states: "In the absence of knowledge of circumstances to the contrary, a debt collector shall assume that the
convenient time for communicating with a consumer is after 8 o’clock antimeridian and before 9 o’clock postmeridian, local time at the consumer’s location" Note is says AT THE CONSUMER'S LOCATION. Not at their cell phone's area code location.