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.