Simple tips

[debtcollector`]

Since I keep seeing the same thing over and over I thought it was time for this:

1. If you are contacted by a collection, you have a right to request validation. Be aware that most of hte people requesting validation are simply trying to stall and avoid paying their bill. However, there are the few that actually aren't familiar with the debt.

2. If you receive a summons, answer it. If you have a court date, go to court. If the other side's attorney says ou don't have to be there, be at court.

3. If you don't know how to conduct discovery without turning to internet bulliten boards, hire an attorney.

4. When you are given advice on an internet bulliten board, critically assess the advice you are being given. Look at the other posts by the poster before blindly following it. Weigh the advice with common sense and a grain or two of salt. Ask if it makes sense. Does the poster have an obvious bias. (For example, I am always in favor of paying your debts regardless of SOL and credit reporting. Therefore I am not going to counsel you to ignore a debt.)

5. Any time you are facing or threatened with legal action, talk to an attorney. It is far cheaper to pay an attorney to help head off trouble than to pay one to clean it up.

6. Question the statements mae by posters on bulliten board like this. Why do you say that? What is your citation to back it up? How can you prove what you are saying? The ones that know what they are talking about won't be offended, the ones that don't will show it.

7. Most of hte time the key to resolving an issue, whether it debt collection or a fight over parking spaces is communication. Opening the lines of communication can be more effective for everybody than shutting down until courts get involved.

8. Compound interest is the most powerful force known to man. Ignoring a debt isn't going to make it go away, it is just going to make it bigger.

9. All the information available from educated and experienced people here and on other boards can be gotten on your own with time spent searching and studying. We don't mind your asking the questions, but please at least try to seatrch this site before asking the same question for the 19th time this week.

10. This is a free advice forum. You get what you pay for. Be smart. Verify anything you are told on this forum or any other. Talk to your attorney. Ask questions and understand the answers, if you don't understand, ask more questions.

DC

[punkin]

Well Said**************..

[Chien]

I think I'm in love. Thanks for another gem, DC