What’s going on in the debt collection industry has become a national disgrace. Bill collectors are now going after anyone who has the same name or a similar name to someone who owes a debt. The collectors are threatening them and ruining their credit, event though the consumers are innocent of any wrongdoing. Yet, the companies are able to do this because the federal government isn’t doing its job and monitoring these companies. The Boston Globe wrote a story recently about this sham, and the paper got deluged by responses. Reporters could not find a single individual who actually owed a debt. Yet, people keep paying money they don’t owe. Sometimes, it’s because they’re harassed to the point of insanity. Other times, they are told they will not be able to close on their home loan if they don’t pay. But there is a way to fight this. If you get a letter saying you owe money, you must respond. You want to send a certified letter, saying you do not owe the debt and you will sue if you are contacted again or if the debt is reported to a credit bureau. Never pay money you don’t owe. And, if the debt is reported, you sue! For a copy of Clark's drop dead letter, click here.