The battle by Joanne M. Johnson of Leominster, who lives on a disability check, to get her car back took an emotional toll. (Globe Staff Photo / Michele McDonald)
If you are being hounded by debt collectors. STOP ! Don’t talk to them. Let them call. DON’T TALK TO THEM. Find out if they are licensed to collect in your state and what your state rights are. If they are not licensed in most states, they have no legal standing to collect from you ! Get on the web and get your free credit report that you are entitled to annually from all the Credit Reporting agencies. Find out who is listing you as owing and is a collector ( meaning you never owed them any $$ ever directly). Get the address and then go here. DO NOT FALL FOR ANY SERVICE THAT CHARGES YOU TO HANDLE THIS. There is NOTHING that they can do, that you can’t do. Then study this site which is outstanding to guide you in what your next step is. IF IT IS BAD, study this site and get a very clear training on how to handle your debt collectors problems. All the education, form letters and addresses, etc are on this board. There is a sane way out. This was one of the first web projects that I was involved in putting together. These people know their stuff and there are lots of people willing to help. State and federal laws regulate how these bottomfeeders behave.
Get your education and get them off your back here . . . CreditBoards
A few of the many forums with detailed information and discussion that you will find . .
Credit ForumCredit Reports, Collections, Credit Cards and related discussion |
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Medical Billing & Medical CollectionsDiscussion of medical billing issues and collections. |
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BankruptcyBankruptcy discussion |
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Foreclosures/Loan ModificationsWhile every lender, foreclosure and modification situation is different, this is a place to discuss and share your experiences. |
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Chexsystems HelpDiscussion and help for consumers who have trouble getting a bank account. |
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Debt Consolidation, Counseling and ManagementDiscussion of debt management inc’ DMP’s, consolidation, settlement and consumer credit counseling |
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Military CreditFor the credit issues that are unique to our military members |
In 2006, a Boston Globe Spotlight Team investigation into the world of consumer debt in the United States found a system where debt collectors have a lopsided advantage, debtors are often treated shabbily by collectors and the courts, and consumers can quickly find themselves in a life-upending financial crisis.
No mercy for consumersFirms’ tactics are one mark of a system that penalizes those who oweThis story was reported by Spotlight team members Michael Rezendes, Beth Healy, Francie Latour, Heather Allen, and editor Walter V. Robinson. It was written by Rezendes and Latour.
First of four parts | July 30, 2006 |
READ THE FULL SERIES HERE
AUDIO: Spotlight reporters talk about the series
MESSAGE BOARD: Share your thoughts on debt collectors and the court system
CHAT TRANSCRIPT: Spotlight Team editor Walter V. Robinson talks about this series
 (Michele McDonald / Globe Staff)
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Dignity faces a steamroller |
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Enforcers’ might goes unchecked |
MA Help & advice: ( Laws and agencies in other States vary. Start with the State Banking regulators)
BOOK EXCERPT: Financial CPR: When things get bad
OCG 
Very nice information is providing in this article. You should never talk to a collector if he is not licensed in most states and also never give him money directly.
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People really need to understand this. As a matter of fact, most people who face this kind of harassment do not understand that they can stop it, simply by doing a bit of research. And get rid of all those “off shore pay day loans” by simply not paying, because they are not legally able to extend the loans in the first place. Check the State laws and registry on collectors.
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