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My big, fat, unpaid credit card bill
When the statements piled up and the creditors started calling, I had to do the unthinkable -- confront my mounting debt.
By Sarah Hepola [2008-01-30]

  • Debt Collection

    I've not had a chance to read all of the responses on here, so i don't know if it has been mentioned.

    Any consumer with any debt needs to read up on the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. They cannot call you day and night, they cannot tell you to get a job, they cannot insult you. There are clearly laid out rights and responsibilities.

    Getting stressed and sick because every ring of the phone freaks you out is not going to help you out of this situation. It does not matter how much you owe or why you owe it, you cannot be abused. The debt collectors know this but they count on you not knowing it. Once the situation is engaged however, every infraction of the FDCPA can get you $1000.

    So you screwed up, you went beyond your means, you charged too much or whatever. It doesn't matter. You have rights. After you deal with your debt with the FDCPA rules, check out the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The FCRA does not allow them to doublehump your credit scores either.

    -- Strawberry
    [Read Strawberry's other letters]
    Wednesday, January 30, 2008 10:28 AM
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