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Jul 07, 2006 -- Rogue bill collectors sticking you with debt

Bill collectors come in all shapes and sizes. Some play it straight up and follow the law. Others don’t follow the law at all and the number of rogue collectors is growing out of control. The Federal Trade Commission reports that its No. 1 complaint is about scavenger bill collectors, also known as “zombie collectors.” The tactics they use are shocking, according to the Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel. For instance, you get a letter or call out of nowhere for a bill that was never yours. The person may have the same or a similar name, but it’s a different person. These collectors try to browbeat the money out of the wrong people by filing suit against them. If those people don’t respond to the court and defend themselves, a judgment is entered and the debt is passed on to them. Yes, even though the debt was never yours, it legally becomes yours. That’s why you have to protect yourself. The only way to preserve your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is to mail a certified letter with proof that it’s not yours. You want to keep a copy of the letter in case they come back later and try to pin it on you. If you don’t, the debt will sit there and it could prevent you from closing on a home in the future. If you don’t act, a lie becomes the truth.

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What others are saying

  • I get these calls all the time
    Ever since moving in 2006 I have gotten calls from different collectors, all looking for someone else but me. The people they seek might have a similar last name or first name or a similar address. I've been told by friends who moved about the same time they are also getting calls, and when prompted, the collector is saying they are going by a phone number. Funny thing, my friends (who live in different areas) and I each have kept our phone numbers for over 13 or more years. So these collectors are obviously using old/outdated lists, or using some sort of system that just barely matches part of your name with someone else and possibly on the same street. It's so aggravating and disgusting. I'd like to report each one to a government agency and officially lodge a complaint against these people. Thank you Clark for keeping people informed of this ridiculous trend.
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