Dealing With Debt Collectors

Weigh the potential benefits of debt reduction against the risks to your credit score when using debt settlement letters.

Dealing with calls from Credence Resource Management? Use these strategies to validate debt, negotiate settlements, and protect your credit.

Debt, a seemingly insurmountable mountain for many, casts a long shadow over lives around the globe. The burden of owing money is not just a financial challenge; it’s an emotional battleground, where feelings of panic and stress frequently take hold. …

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Know your rights under the FDCPA when dealing with debt collectors. Learn how to stop harassment, validate old debts, and settle collections for good.

Considering a debt settlement company? Read our comprehensive review and guide to understand the pros, cons, and risks before signing up for debt relief.

Facing a debt collection lawsuit? This survival guide covers everything from the initial summons to court appearances and negotiating a favorable outcome.

Thinking about filing for bankruptcy? Compare Chapter 7 and Chapter 13, understand the requirements, and decide if bankruptcy is the right path for your debt.

Learn how to survive a debt collection lawsuit. From responding to the summons to your day in court, understand the steps to protect your financial future.

Understand re-aging debt. Learn the difference between legal status updates and illegal tactics used by collectors to unfairly keep negative items on your credit report.

Medical collections can stay on your report for seven years. Learn how to negotiate with providers and use FICO 9 to minimize the impact of hospital bills on your score.

Know your rights under the FDCPA. Learn what debt collectors are prohibited from doing and how to legally stop harassment and protect your financial privacy.

Understand the FDCPA guidelines that govern debt collection. Learn what collectors must disclose and how to file a complaint if your consumer rights are violated.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that limits the behavior and actions of third-party debt collectors who are attempting to collect debts on behalf of another person or entity. However, it does not apply to …

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Do collection agencies violate the law? You bet they do. So, who regulates the debt collection industry? The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau took over the regulation of debt collectors and handling of debt collection complaints from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) …

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State Licensing Requirements for Collection Agencies A collection agency is a business that pursues individuals or businesses for payments on debts owed. For example, let’s say you stopped paying on your credit card and it has been over 120 days …

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Learn how to identify and defend yourself against ‘zombie debt’—old debts that are often past the statute of limitations or already discharged.

Note: This page addresses debts that are with a COLLECTION AGENCY. Here is the article addressing debts still with ORIGINAL CREDITORS. One very important, but often overlooked, area of debt negotiations is negotiating your credit rating. What exactly does that mean you …

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If MRS Associates is trying to collect a debt from you, here’s what you need to know. They are indeed a legitimate collection agency. However, as with any other debt collector, they are required to follow debt collection laws. Dealing with …

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A junk debt buyer is a collection agency that purchases delinquent or charged-off debt from credit card companies or even other collection agencies. Also referred to in the industry as bad debt buyers, zombie debt collectors, or simply debt buyers, …

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If you owe back taxes to the IRS, a change in federal tax collection should be of interest to you. Starting April 2017, the Internal Revenue Service is turning some overdue accounts over to private collection agencies. Find out how this …

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We do get this question from time to time, and it was the subject of a recent discussion forum thread: “What happens to debts when I leave the country?” The first issue that should be addressed is whether or not …

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How to check your credit report for free. Access your annual reports from the three major bureaus and verify your financial information accurately.

The truth about credit repair companies. Learn how to spot scams and what you can do yourself for free to improve your credit standing.

Facing wage garnishment? Understand your rights under Title III of the Consumer Credit Protection Act and learn how to manage or avoid this serious issue.

Learn how the CFPB protects consumers from unfair debt collection practices. Explore your rights, sample action letters, and how to submit effective complaints.

Stay informed on the latest CFPB rules for debt collection. Learn how collectors can use email, text, and social media, and your rights to limit these communications.

Know your rights under the FDCPA. Learn what debt collectors cannot do, from harassment and false claims to illegal communication and location tactics.

Master your interactions with collection agencies. Our comprehensive guide covers debt validation, settlement negotiations, and your legal rights under the law.

Q. I requested debt validation from a  collection agency because of a collections listed on my credit report and they say they sent me a  letter but I did not receive it. I read that collection agencies are supposed  to …

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Q. I am attempting to settle with a collection agency. After many calls from an agent, I was offered a settlement amount of 3,800.00 on a total due of 10,376.55. I have been sent an email stating that the client …

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