Fighting back against debt collectors.

[chaz]

What is the name of your state? Michigan


Not sure how many times a debt collector can legally call within one day. 8am - 9pm. I think it is 3... I couldn't find evidence to support this.

I also have learned to record ALL conversations with debt collectors. In my state (Michigan) it is law that all parties know of the recording, also they need to agree to the date and time on the recorder for it to hold up in court.

Simply get them to break the laws is the next key advice. How to do this can be tricky... but if they are dumb enough to agree to the recording, then chances are they are dumb enough to make mistakes on the recorder.

If you can negotiate well enough, you may be able to get them to agree to something outlandish.

Anyone have any input to add?

 

[averad]

Why don't you just pay your bills in the beginning? I hear thats the best way to stop the phone calls.

 

[BL]

Yeh .. FTC , FDCPA , FCRA .. Request them to be sent to you .

 

[chaz]

Re:

Why don't you just pay your bills in the beginning?

That would be another thread.

Anyone have anything (on subject) that they would like to discuss?

 

[BL]

That would be another thread.

Anyone have anything (on subject) that they would like to discuss?

Do you have a particular question besides how many times a collector can call in a day ?

 

[Chien]

Q. Anyone have anything (on subject) that they would like to discuss?

Response: Why? Just to chat with you? You seem to have a game plan for something and, aside from that above, you haven't posed a question.

 

[chaz]

Do you have a particular question besides how many times a collector can call in a day ?

The general question was how many times a collector can call and possibly some advice on other simple laws that the collector can break to help give us (the consumer) leverage for a possible lawsuit.

 

[averad]

So your asking how to get away with not paying your bills. If you pay your bills a collection agency wouldn't be calling you and you wouldn't be trying to sue them.

Now if you did pay your bills and they are still calling, you should send the collection agency a certified letter requesting they stop.

My original answer is still the best pay your bills and they wont call.

Now if you want to share the who, what, when, where and why maybe we can comment on your situation.

 

[BL]

The general question was how many times a collector can call and possibly some advice on other simple laws that the collector can break to help give us (the consumer) leverage for a possible lawsuit.

I pointed you to the FTC , look it up .

 

[Chien]

You're getting calls because of outstanding debts and you want references to "simple laws" to trip up and sue the debt collectors?

I think the suggestions and references that you've gotten are pretty good and seem pretty germane.

Most professionals are going to be one-up on you, but do post back when you've figured a way to spring the trap

 

[chaz]

Most professionals are going to be one-up on you, but do post back when you've figured a way to spring the trap

Agreed, that's why I came to this site. I see that I am not the only American who fell after the 911 and are having a very difficult time finding employment, though Bush promises us that "jobs are out there and strong!" while I watch 3 large companies pack up and go to Mexico within the last year.

It is a dog eat dog world and we have to live off the resources to survive. Bad attitude? Perhaps. But since my divorce and am a single father who is freelancing to feed my 6 yr old, I am prepared to do what it takes to survive. Now with the new deadbeat father law in Michigan, thanks to Gov. Granholm, fathers with more than $500 in arrears on child support are jailed. While we watch the hard criminals, rapists, child molesters, get out of jail to house these "deadbeat fathers".

I'm rambling, but the point is... I would pay if I could. Since I can't I'll use the resources available to me.

How much is a billion?

The next time you hear a politician casually drop the word "billion," consider whether or not you want that politician spending your tax money.

A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one ad agency did a good job of putting that figure into perspective in one of its releases.

A billion seconds ago, it was 1959.

A billion minutes ago, Jesus was alive.

A billion hours ago, our ancestors were living in the Stone Age.

A billion days ago, no one walked on Earth.

Now...Get this:

A billion tax dollars ago was only 8 hours and 20 minutes...at the rate our government spends it!

 

[averad]

Im sorry you have been down and out since 9/11/2001 126,227,703 seconds ago (Sorry not a billion). You remind me of a saying my teachers used to tell me "You spend more time trying to get around the problem then actually solving it".

Spend less time here and more time at monster.com if you have a roof over your head, tv and internet your not doing that bad.

Your not Robin Hood stop trying to steal from the rich and give to yourself.

I dont want to come off cold or a jerk, because I actually do feel sorry for you, just please spend more time applying for jobs and less time searching for loopholes.

"I'm rambling, but the point is... I would pay if I could. Since I can't I'll use the resources available to me." - You might want to pick on someone your own size. Rember these companies have representation at the drop of a hat and the money to sue for years.

 

[justalayman]

Im sorry you have been down and out since 9/11/2001 126,227,703 seconds ago (Sorry not a billion). You remind me of a saying my teachers used to tell me "You spend more time trying to get around the problem then actually solving it".

Spend less time here and more time at monster.com if you have a roof over your head, tv and internet your not doing that bad.

Your not Robin Hood stop trying to steal from the rich and give to yourself.

applause and cheers to you averad.

While the OP can complain here all he would like to, when is the last time he called or wrote to his state rep, Gov. Granholm, or any of the federal government folks to express his disdain for the current situation?

While most people in his situation will say, "one voice can effect no change in a government" they all need to realize they will have no affect if they do nothing. Unless one attempts to effect a change, they have no right to complain.

 

[averad]

I wanted to suggest the OP go to the library and read "Who moved my cheese" (http://www.whomovedmycheese.com/) it deals with moving on and realizing that a change can be a good thing.

Maybe its time for a change so your child doesnt have to visit dad in prison.

 

[chaz]

:::"You spend more time trying to get around the problem then actually solving it":::

VS

"If you think there's a solution, you're part of the problem"

My job tried staying afloat after the 9/11. I even accepted the 50% pay cut they offered to maintain my position, I accepted until they finally fell.

Bush promises that employment is standing strong and there are plentiful jobs. (While we watch them pack up everyday and relocate for cheaper labor)

I'm doing fairly well with my online sales freelance. However, I'll never find a job that paid what my previous salary was.

Guess I started a thread asking the wrong questions and now I am viewed as a new millennium Robin Hood.

The collectors still call and I still record. It's my advice to the people who fell into the same unpleasant situation as me. The economy is relentless, the collectors call relentlessly, we may as well survive by the same tactics.

Perhaps Bush should get on TV and make promises to all the Credit Card companies that people can afford to pay all debts because the economy is going so strong and collectors need not to call peoples homes anymore.