What are my rights when dealing with bill collectors?
You have rights that are protected under under the Fair Debt Collection Act. You can demand that you are only contacted by bill collecting companies via mail, and not by phone. In fact, you can request that you are not contacted at all (not a good idea unless the debt is paid). Collection companies are also not allowed to pretend that they are one of the major credit bureaus. They are also not allowed to threaten you. They can not tell you that you owe more money than you really do, curse at you or make threats. Use this link to learn more about your rights when dealing with collection companies. What should I do if I am contacted by a collection company asking for payment of a legitimate debt? In most cases, you can negotiate with the bill collectors. They will likely reduce the amount you owe and eliminate interest rates. They may even waive late fees. Once a payment agreement is made, you should pay the debt in full and look to rebuild your credit.
