said by goalieskates:said by Doctor Olds:Funny thing, but when you pay your bills (as you promised/agreed to when making a purchase using Credit) and don't spend more than you make then bill collectors don't know who the hell that you are and therefore never call you.
Don't count on that.
I've been called for bills belonging to people with my name (but a different state.) Heck, my spouse was served papers by a lawyer for an incident in Las Vegas, and he's never been to Las Vegas.
I can see that happening with common names. It pays not to be a John or Jane Smith.
I don't have a very common name.
said by goalieskates:Point being, databases are often corrupt, and bill collectors (among others) really don't care. They'll beat you to death, and when you try to establish that you're not the "John Smith" they're looking for, they act like you're just a deadbeat avoiding having to pay.
Not if you know your rights under the FDCPA. In fact you can get bank from the collectors that don't care to follow the rules and they really do care after you hit them in their wallets. I've done that several times.
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www.frbsf.org/publicatio ··· ml#fdcpaquote:
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act promotes the fair treatment of consumers by prohibiting debt collectors from using unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices.
This act applies to professional debt collectors who collect on loans they did not originate. Though it technically does not apply to banks, department stores, and other lenders who collect their own debts, no reputable lender is permitted to use such practices.
* Debt collectors are permitted to contact people other than the debtor only to locate the debtor or make a reasonable effort to communicate with the debtor about the debt.
* After making contact, debt collectors are required to send written notice informing the debtor of the amount of the debt, the name of the creditor, and the fact that the debt will be considered valid unless disputed within 30 days.
* Debt collectors are prohibited from harassing, oppressing, or being abusive in collecting a debt. This includes using threats or obscene language, publicizing the debt, making annoying or anonymous telephone calls, and misrepresenting the identity of the collector, the status of the debt, and the consequences if it is not paid.
If debt collectors violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, consumers can sue for actual and punitive damages.
said by goalieskates:And that's leaving out the whole secondary issue of stolen identity.
That's a good thing due to being even further off topic to the subject as the party I was replying to.