Your rights from debt collectors

In regards to my previous post I just want to say that if you have valid debts obviously you should pay them. However you do have the right not to be constantly harassed and threatened by collectors.

With that off my shoulders I also want to say that you should not be forced in to paying for something that is not a legitimate debt. If a collector calls you and says that you owe them money you have a right to request in writing that they validate the debt. What I mean by debt validation is the company has 30 days after you write them to prove that the debt they are trying to collect is valid. Which means they must have an invoice or statement from the original debtor as well as the dates which the debt was last active.

Most of these scummy collection agencies can not prove the debt is legitimate. These companies buy these debts off of lists that may or may not be correct and could be as old as 20 years. These agencies prey on you not remembering something and just sending them the money if they harass you enough. Worse they "re-age" the debt and put it on your credit report as if it just occurred starting the cycle of it showing up on your credit report for 7 years. These companies need to be reported you can do that here just click the state to get your information.

Check out the BCS Alliance for information on this here.

It still makes me angry that these companies that are known for there poor conduct, are allowed to put anything on anyone's credit report! They should have to prove the debt is valid in order to be able to put it on the credit report. And worse yet you have to take the time and go through the red tape to get these items to be removed and my experience with the three big credit reporting agencies is they really don't care and there is absolutely no customer service, but they will gladly "sell you YOUR CREDIT REPORT to you which they have". I feel if it is my report I should have the right to it without paying for it after all it is supposedly my information.

Here is an article that says that 4 out of 5 credit reports have mistakes on them. In this down turn of our economy be aware of any of these companies that may be trying to scam you! Don't fall for it and know your rights.