A new analysis of the March 2009 calls to our Consumer Action Center shows that the topics you're calling about have shifted dramatically.

If you go back to 2007, the No. 1 topic of calls was anything to do with cars -- buying, selling, maintenance, etc. The second-most popular topic was anything to do with housing -- buying, selling, renting, etc.

Today, however, the majority of the Consumer Action Center's calls are all about debt. In fact, calls about debt exceeded calls about cars by a ratio of 7:1!

Not surprisingly, our third most-frequent off-air call for the month of March was about collection agencies. That obviously dovetails very neatly with the questions about debt.

It's eye-opening, in fact, how abusive the collection agencies have become to prompt all the calls. Know that if you are contacted by a collector, you have rights. Never give them your checking account number over the phone. Never give them your credit card info over the phone.

A collection agency can not put you in jail. In fact, you have the right to tell them they're not allowed to call you anymore. Use our "drop dead letter" for that purpose.

By the way, the second most popular call topic in March had to do with fraudulent activities -- the rip-offs, the cons, the scams, etc.

Our show moves with you. You've told us the areas where you need guidance and advice and we'll meet that need. Of course, we'll still talk about cars too, along with other perennial problem areas likes banks, customer service, cell phones and investment questions!