Creditors keep charging and calling!!

I have always paid my bills on time never late, Oct of 00 I lost my job, called all my creditors to inform them and ask for help. I could not believe the horrible customer service people I got constantly. No one would help!! Then in Nov 00 I took a job with considerable cut in pay. I called my creditors again to ask for assistance because I could no longer make the payments they were asking. Since October I have gotten calls day and night 20minutes a part from the creditors!!! Everytime my phone rings it is them!!! So because I cannot make the payment they are requesting but I am making a payment, it is considered late in their eyes and they charge me a $29 late charge which makes my balance go up and then I get charged $29 overlimit fee@!!! Each creditor has charged me over $100 in fees on each account and it is a never ending battle. I tried signing up with a credit counselor to help but because of my finances what they would ask me to pay would leave me with nothing to live on! So because I cannot get out of this hole,I am ready to give up completely! Just pay my necessary bills house, utilities, car, insurance and the hell to all of them! I have been making payments, 10, 20 dollars not the 80 90 or 150 they want now with all the charges they keep putting on. Isn't that procedure illegal? What is my recourse? I have asked for a hardship program, they are mean and say it is not available and not their problem. Help sinking lower and lower!!!!

[JETX]

This topic (debt collectors) comes up quite frequently on this site and a LOT of information is available if you would just do a search.

I offer the following earlier response as an axample:

"Must read at Freeadvise: [url]http://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?threadid=7517[/url]

FDCPA: [url]http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpa/fdcpact.htm[/url]
[url]http://caselaw.findlaw.com/casecode/uscodes/15/chapters/41/subchapters/v/toc.html[/url]

FCRA: [url]http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fcrajump.htm[/url]

Bankruptcy Code: [url]http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/11/[/url]

Before you post your 'debt collector called me, what can I do' story, do the following steps:

1) Read the FDCPA (Fair Debt Collections Practices Act) at the following website: [url]http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpa/fdcpact.htm[/url]
You will clearly see what these scumbag debt collectors can, and more importantly CAN'T do to you. When and if they contact you again, make damn well sure that they know that YOU KNOW the FDCPA!!! Do NOT fall for their unscrupulous tactics. They will tell you ANYTHING to try to get
money or a check from you!! Don't believe them. Finally, if you do owe the original debt, send your payment directly to the ORIGINAL debtor. If you are paying in full, get a written release from the debtor BEFORE making payment. It can be a very simple form... "Upon receipt of payment of $_______ the debt owed by (you) to (them) will be paid in full and all claims are released." Then make a copy of the check or money order before sending it to the ORIGINAL creditor.

2) Go to the following website and go to each of the pages listed in the left frame. Also, you can download and read his online book.
[url]http://budhibbs.com/freebook.htm[/url]
(This guy sounds obnoxious, but seems to know his stuff!)
Finally, after doing all the above.. you will NOT need to post your 'story'.. you will be able to handle it!!