| If it isn't bad enough when we are already | | | | within 5 days of their first contact with you. |
| struggling with our bills, that we sometimes start | | | | - If, for some reason, you have a lawyer handling |
| getting calls from the debt collectors about paying | | | | your debt issues, the collection agency must |
| back those bills. | | | | contact him or her and not yourself. |
| When can we do? What rights do we have - if | | | | - Collection agencies can only contact other people |
| any? | | | | to find out your phone number or address. |
| Well, luckily, (I guess you can say) the federal | | | | - These collectors must act civil and not harass or |
| government has written laws that require | | | | abuse you or others they talk to. They also |
| collection agencies to treat us fairly - whatever | | | | cannot lie to you or scare you into paying |
| that is. | | | | something. |
| - In reality, collection agencies can only call during | | | | - Now let's assume you pay them some money |
| normal hours of the day. This means not too | | | | on some of these debts. They must apply the |
| early and not too late. If your employer prohibits | | | | money to whatever bill you say to apply it to. |
| their calls during work, they need to abide by this | | | | They can't choose themselves. Also they cannot |
| and not call you while you are at work either. | | | | apply it to a bill you don't think you owe. |
| - Now assuming they do get in touch with you, | | | | What is your re-course if you think the debt |
| the collection agency has to send you this | | | | collector is acting wrongly? You can contact the |
| information in writing - explaining how much and to | | | | Federal Trade Commission and report them. The |
| who you owe money. They must also tell you | | | | FTC will investigate and hopefully put an end to |
| what you need to do if you believe you do not | | | | the mean tactics of some. |
| owe the money. This written notice must be sent | | | | |