Problem with dept collectors... HELP!!!?

Question

Ok, so... I'm 20 years old and I was being a moron when I was 18. I got three credit cards and went out of control. So now I have to pay for the mess I made. Well, Last month I couldn't pay because since it's summer hours were cut back in my company. I tried to explain before but the guy that is the supervisor of the company about my situation and he asked me if I could ask a family member for help. I said I want to do this on my own but he started to yell at me because I said I couldn't pay for it. I know I made a mess and I want to pay for it. It's just that I am not getting enough hours, and also I have been working on getting a second job but all the companies I applied for either needed someone on the shifts that I already work on, located far away, needs someone flexible, pretty much to my disadvantage. Pittsburgh really isn't the greatest city to find a job unless you are a doctor or lawyer. Well I am going to call the company and explain what happened. Any advice?

Answer 1

WHOA!!! Stop, stop, slow down. Every single one of these people who are saying "It is legal for them to call your family.neighbors" is COMPLETELY wrong. It is 100% illegal for them to call anyone BUT YOU. It is a federal offense to disclose any kind of personal credit or any personal business for that matter to anyone but YOU. What you have to do is send them a formal letter to their department which handles their accounts stating that you would like for them to please stop calling you and anyone else about your account. That is it. Just that simple statement. Don't say it over the phone because they don't care; they're just phone reps. Send the letter. Then, after you send the letter, when they call you, ask the person very politely and calmly for their name, then ask to talk to their supervisor. Ask for his name. Write them down; also have your aunt do the same when they call her. Then it is time to consult a lawyer.

I promise you; once you send the letter, the calls should stop. If they don't, it is time to file a harassment lawsuit. It is 100% illegal for them to harass you.

Answer 2

google a debt consolidation company in your area (non profit).  They know how to handle the government and will help you consolidate your debt.

By the way, the debt collectors don't give a c**p about any story you tell them so don't waste your time

Answer 3

well thats good!!! BUT even if it kills you i'd ask family for help. just sit down and talk with them, if they know your trying then they should help. and when your b-dayand christmas come around tell everyone to just get you money. period and put that directly twords your debt. every little bit helps

remember it's MUCH easier to pay back family than get involved with a bank

Answer 4

Oh man, I miss the old days when they would call me. Was such good humor. Here's what ya do. 1st when they call ask them to slowly tell you what there company name is there contact number and the name of the person calling you. do this every time they call and take your time. 2nd. tell them that you have to inform them by law that this conversation is being recorded and there is no (maybe recorded for quality control purposes) ( this really makes them mad) if they refuse to talk to you once they know its being recorded ask them over and over why they are refusing to talk to you about this debt. Send the letter like one of the previous guys posted and just continue to make your payments. Don't scream and holler at them, laugh out loud in the phone when they say something stupid, like there going to sue you. Ask them for the number of the local consumer credit agency and things like that. Ask them if they know a good bankruptcy lawyer in your area ? Don't get stressed out about it. Let them get stressed. They want there money. Just keep on living life and pay what you can.

Answer 5

why are they calling your Aunt? That is illeagel to call anyone but you for you debt. collectors are pains in the a$$ because it you dont pay, they dont get there bonus that month. so, if they cant accept the fact you can afford to pay this time, call the better business beauro and get them in trouble. at least your trying to pay it back

Answer 6

Offer to pay it up over time, you really don't have much other choice. Tell them you can pay such and such a month, and they will usually take it, but you are still going to be hit with interest as long as it is not paid off. If you call them work something out and actively pay, you should be ok.

Answer 7

debt sweetheart.... its spelled d-e-b-t...

yea umm good luck with that.

Answer 8

I went to a debt consolidation company, and they explained to me that I could do the same thing that they do, myself....so, I called each credit card company and explained to them what the guy at the Clearpoint credit counseling company had told me, all 3 of my credit card companies worked with me, 2 moved my interest rate down from 30% to 2.5 %. and one moved it down to 8% and removed all the fees that had been added on...then I had them set up automatic payments for a year....which after 4 months, they informed the credit reporting agencies that I had made steady payments...then my credit score started to show it....so, don't avoid, just know that you are in the power position here....give them a call if you honestly intend to make payments and want to mend your credit score....they will always work with you...they )credit card companies)  have one year programs, and if you tell them that you want to do that.....they will set you up...

Answer 9

welcome to everyones world, you might want to consider a consolidation loan from a bank, you will have one payment, much lower interest rate, and late fees wont kill you either.  I did this to straighten out my credit.  Many bank will do this because they are basically in competition with credit card companies.  Try the consolidation,  make sure you explain everything to the bank including what you plan on doing until its paid off, that will help.  Good luck!!!

Answer 10

ok...you are doing all you can....so just explain your situation to the parties involved and tell them you are doing your very best to pay.....they cant get blood out of a stone can they?....just pay a little to each and that way they cant do anything to you.....take no notice of collectors...they are NOT allowed to call your relatives...so tell the phone company to block their calls...and dont answer them when they callyou....

Answer 11

I think you mean 'debt'.  Just explain the situation to your credit card company and offer to make small but consistent payments.  Long as you send them something every month they will not harass you, but as soon as you can pay them more since the interest really adds up!

Answer 12

Debt collectors want their money ... period.  They don't care about your hard luck story.  They hear them all day long.  In fact, they probably don't even believe it so don't waste your breath.  Their client is the person or company you owe money to and their job is to get that money ... not to hand you Kleenexes while you tell them a sob story.  Keep trying to find a second job (even if it's at a fast food restaurant) and make an agreement with them to pay them a certain amount every month and then do it.  You're a grown up now and it's time you learn how to handle your responsibilities on your own.  You will not believe how long this episode is going to follow you on your credit report.

EDIT:  The person who said that debt collectors can call your neighbors is right ... or at least it used to be okay (don't know if it still is).  Way back before I was married, I lived in a large apartment building and somehow, a debt collector looking for the guy who lived two floors above me got my phone number and called me a few times, trying to get me to slip messages under the guy's door.  

You can be as much of a jerk as you want back to debt collectors, but in the end, they always get the last laugh because it's your credit report that is being damaged ... not theirs.  You'll see when you go to apply for a credit card or a mortgage or a car loan years from now.

Answer 13

Most people forget on their application, it says alternate phone # or phone number of relative at a different address, THIS is how credit card companies get to family members.  When they contact family members, the only thing that they can ask is if they can speak to you or where they can get ahold of you.

People saying others aren't giving the right information are forgetting, rules can change from state to state, for instance Maryland and South Dakota have more favorable banking laws than other states, so many banks originate from there.

If anyone gets on here from Canada or the UK,, they are extremely different, so keep this in mind.

Answer 14

Hey!!  I know exactly what you are going through!  Do not worry!  They will get their money when they get their money!  Debt collectors can call your family members when they cant get ahold of you and they could even call ur neighbors.  I saw this on a movie about credit card debt called maxed out.  Somehow this is legal.  I once talked to my debt collector and asked him if he gets calls at his house too and asked him if he would like me to sell him my soul cuz i have no money LOL.  He laughed though.  Debt collectors are going to push you to the edge, but remember money is money!  You are not the only one that has made these mistakes TRUST ME.  I am still paying off a debt yikes!

The best thing I could say is talk to your boss.  See if it is possible to have them give you more hours during the week.  It does not hurt to ask, that way if they do need someone they might pick you first for hours.  You can even let your boss know that if there are callouts that you would be more than willing to come in.  Give ebay a try too... if you have some things in your room etc that you can do without... grab a friend and post them up for auction.  It is very easy to pick up a few dollars here and there... I sold my cd collection for over 100 dollars which made one of my credit card payments.

It never hurts to ask family members for assistance.  It is easier to make payments to them than a credit card.  I never had that option but trust me you will get out of this eventually.

I am not sure what hours you work, but some hospitals and nursing homes have part time job hours from like 3-7:30pm in the kitchens.  Just hit up every store and restuarant you know and just fill out applications whether they are hiring or not.  I have faith in you!  Just dont give up!

*****And an FYI for everyone... YES they can call your relatives and they can call your neighbors... check out the movie maxed out.

Answer 15

Hey people!  Can anyone here do some simple research for a change before answering?

You don't say if this is the original creditor or a collection agency.  Note that original creditors are NOT covered under the Fair Debt Collections Act.  There are a few states that have amended their own versions of the FDCA to include them, but only a few.

If this is a collection agency, they are allowed to call anyone about your debt....but here are the conditions:

§ 804.  Acquisition of location information  [15 USC 1692b]

Any debt collector communicating with any person other than the consumer for the purpose of acquiring location information about the consumer shall --

    (1) identify himself, state that he is confirming or correcting location information concerning the consumer, and, only if expressly requested, identify his employer;

    (2) not state that such consumer owes any debt;

    (3) not communicate with any such person more than once unless requested to do so by such person or unless the debt collector reasonably believes that the earlier response of such person is erroneous or incomplete and that such person now has correct or complete location information;

    (4) not communicate by post card;

    (5) not use any language or symbol on any envelope or in the contents of any communication effected by the mails or telegram that indicates that the debt collector is in the debt collection business or that the communication relates to the collection of a debt; and

    (6) after the debt collector knows the consumer is represented by an attorney with regard to the subject debt and has knowledge of, or can readily ascertain, such attorney's name and address, not communicate with any person other than that attorney, unless the attorney fails to respond within a reasonable period of time to the communication from the debt collector.

Seems clear enough, doesn't it?  IF this is a collection agency they have obviously broken the law.

Let us know who it is and I can give you some specific advice.

Answer 16

Sounds like you have a good plan. Just pay what you can. Try transferring from one card to another using balance transfer. Do that fast though, if you start to defalt, those offers will dry up fast. How much money do you owe?

Answer 17

http://www.creditinfocenter.com

Check this website. All your answers can be found in the forums here.

Answer 18

Okay, if they are calling your aunt even though they are able to get hold of you, then that is a violation of the FDCPA laws.

Rather than say you cannot pay, explain to them that your hours have been cut back for the summer, and offer a reduced amount that you will pay to them temporarily until your hours come back.

This is how debt collectors work...screaming, intimidation, threats...whatever they can do.

See, debt collectors purchase the old debts, and overcharge them in hopes you'll pay the whole amount, which means the original company is paid back, and the rest is free money in their pocket.

If you can do so, offer 50% of the amount in full as a settlement.  Most will readily say yes.

Answer 19

DONT EVEN TALK TO EM, HANG UP AND CONTINUE DOING WHAT YOU CAN TO PAY IT OFF, SNOT LIKE THERE BREAK YOUR LEGS