Debt collector Does Not Respond to Request for Verification of Debt by: Debtcollectionanswers.com
The federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act gives you the right to request that a debt collector verify that you owe a debt and when you do, the collector is legally obligated to provide you with written verification. You only have this right however if you make your request no later than 30 days after the collector contacts you about the debt for the first time. Is it possible therefore that you made your request after this time period? If so, then the collector is not legally obligated to respond to you.
If you made your request within the legally required time period however, then you may have grounds for a lawsuit and you should either consult with a consumer law attorney in your area who helps consumers resolve debt collection problems. Find out how to get FREE or low cost legal advice about debt collection from a consumer law attorney here.
Sep 07, 2011
Demanding Debt Collector by: Anonymous
My wife owes a substantial debt in a foreign country. An American collector has been trying to collect the debt. My wife had been making small payments up until now. Suddenly, this evening the collector called and declared that we were not paying enough and that they needed to get the debt "off their books." They wanted us to pay a substantial sum up front and then commit to small monthly payments. In return, they claimed to offer they would wipe away all of the interest in return. They insisted this had to be done "tonight" or not at all. They also made noises about suing. I was able to put them off until tomorrow night, but they insist we have to pay or else. This does not at all seem legitimate. The people we talked to also all sounded like used cars salesmen. Is this legal? Why would they suddenly need money right now? The whole thing made no sense.
Reply from DebtCollectionAnswers.com:
These pressure tactics are not uncommon. We wouldn't recommend you take them up on it unless you have something in writing, signed by them, that clearly spells out the terms of the deal - and you can afford it.
But before you do that are you sure they can sue her in the US? You might want to check with a consumer law attorney to be sure that's the case. If it's not, you'll have some serious negotiating leverage.
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