Is it against the law for a bill-collector to call your home phone line to find a deliquent neighbor?

Question

Here's what's happening to me. A neighbor of mine must not be paying his bills. Since they won't answer their phone, a bill collecting agency is contacting me via my home telephone. They ask me to go over and try to have the person they want to talk to call them. It seems like an unfair incursion into my life.

Answer 1

yes, this is illegal under the FTC's Fair Debt Collection laws.

The collector is allowed to call you to verify the debtors address or phone number, but they are not allowed to discuss anything else.

If you are getting calls, file a complaint with your state attny general's office. You might want to contact a lawyer because you can sue the collection agency under the law. HEY!  you might get money from them.

Answer 2

I don't know if it is illegal but it is most certainly harassment.  The first thing to do is ask for the persons supervisor.  From the supervisor get the name and address of the firm making the calls.  Next tell the supervisor that you do not want them contacting you at any time for any reason.  Follow this conversation with a certified letter repeating the do not call demand.  Make sure you do the letter certified this way they have to sign for it and cannot later deny they got it.  That should end the calls.  If they call again, you call your attorney and sue them.  This is where having the certified letter comes in, it is evidence that you told them not to call.  You won't get a lot of money but they will quit calling you.  One other thing make sure you keep a copy of the letter you write, keep the copy and the paper they sign together in case you need them.

Answer 3

It's unlawful in the U.S.

Answer 4

It's illegal in this country too!!

Answer 5

Absolutly ...Tell them to not call you again or you will report them for harrasment...thats the craziest thing I ever heard.