How To Annoy Debt Collectors
Many people facing bankruptcy are tormented by collection agencies. There are legal ways to fight back using federal consumer protection statutes. For example, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act provides that if you receive a collection notice and thereafter send a letter requesting verification of the debt, the creditor cannot take legal action until it provides written verification. If you ask for information about the debt, such as the payment history and amortization schedule where applicable, this information as to be provided before the creditor can proceed with a lawsuit. The creditor's failure to respond to your dispute and request for verification can be used in court to defend or delay collection suits. If you receive information from the creditor you may write back stating the information is insufficient or unclear and demand more information.
There is not special language needed to dispute a debt or request verification. A debtor could simple write that, "I dispute this debt", or "please send verification of the debt", or "I'm not going to pay this debt and you can't make me." Requests for information about a debt or debt disputes is an easy way to delay collection lawsuits without hiring an attorney, and you get the satisfaction that you are annoying your creditors.
posted by Jonathan Alper, asset protection and bankruptcy lawyer, Orlando, Florida
I keep getting collection agencies calling for a person who no longer lives here. What do I do?