Debt collectors - How do you know they are real?

**Maxattax3** · 01-22-2009, 02:56 PM

Re: Debt collectors - How do you know they are real?

BBB. Better Business Bureau

**Trevytrev11** · 01-22-2009, 02:59 PM

Re: Debt collectors - How do you know they are real?

Originally posted by DookieMowf

Something way back in my past has popped up and they are saying I owe a certain amount of money, but will settle for half. They have started to call my job and have also said the company in which I owe the money to is ready to sue me and if so they will start to garnish my wages once it goes to court. I don't mind paying the amount I owe now, but how can I be positive the debt collection agency calling me, is legit?

Should I ask them to send something in writing to me as well as documentation with the settlement amount on paper as well?

I would also think the best way to pay is money order or cashiers check?

Any help would be appreciated.

I would think you should probably get something in writing from both the collection agency and the company stating that once you pay the agreed upon amount all debt is considered terminated.

As far as if they are legit or not, you could contact the company you owe money to and ask who they use to collect their debts. I would think there would be some kind of account or case number involved that would be similar to all parties (credit card, loan, account number, etc.).

But I doubt it would be a coicedence that a collection agency is calling you about about debt that you actually do owe to said company. The fact they are settling with you doesn't suprise me as often times, they consider any money better than no money.

Also, if all else fails, google the name of the collection agency to see if they are valid.

**Brandwin** · 01-22-2009, 03:19 PM

Re: Debt collectors - How do you know they are real?

I googled the name and from what I read the seem valid, but there also seem to be a ton of complaints about them.

The agency is Evans Law Firm.

Also, I didn't think they could call your job? How they got my jobs number is another story. I used to live with my grandparents, so the number I used to use was the house number. Well I no longer live there of course, but my grandmother told me one day that someone from Social Secruity Office called, but didn't leave a message, so I said if it's a big deal they will get ahold of me. Well they called again a few weeks later and left a number, so at lunch I called from my job (didn't have my cell phone) found out it was a collection agency and now they have my number. Stupid on my part for calling. I didn't think anything about it because I had not received any letters saying I owe.

**fishepa** · 01-22-2009, 03:26 PM

Re: Debt collectors - How do you know they are real?

I've never received any calls from debt collectors, but I'm also not in any sort of debt. If that helps....

**Cebby** · 01-22-2009, 03:30 PM

Re: Debt collectors - How do you know they are real?

Why don't you call whoever you owe?

Call them from a friend's cell phone and don't give them your name. Just ask if they use a debt collection agency.

**ExtremeGamer** · 01-22-2009, 03:33 PM

Re: Debt collectors - How do you know they are real?

I got called for a magazine I "owed" on once. I felt scam from the word go. Had them mail me out stuff and got all their info (the collection agency that is) and when looking them up, they were a scam company from Arizona. I informed my local police department, their local police department, and the BBB. Phone calls stopped.

Basically, it was a magazine I had, and stopped subscribing to, and what they did was got the publishers records, calling everyone who stopped the mag saying they signed up for another year but never paid. Now, there's a good chance you will get lucky and get money out of some people. But most, if you stopped subscribing, you know you stopped. LOL

**Brandwin** · 01-22-2009, 03:50 PM

Re: Debt collectors - How do you know they are real?

Originally posted by fishepa

I've never received any calls from debt collectors, but I'm also not in any sort of debt. If that helps....

Like I said, I'll pay... but I also don't want to be jerked around.

**The C** · 01-22-2009, 03:59 PM

Re: Debt collectors - How do you know they are real?

When they come and break my legs

**MassNole** · 01-22-2009, 04:05 PM

Re: Debt collectors - How do you know they are real?

I'd be careful Dookie. The fact they posed as Social Security gives me grave cause for concern, and I'd advise you file a complaint with the state or states the attorneys at that firm are licensed in. At the very least the named partners (who are responsible for all of the actions of their subordinates). This past week my wife had a call from a collection agency seeking debt that had been written off when she filed bankruptcy years ago. She simply told them that and the calls stopped, which would also tell me it was a scam.

**JohnnytheSkin** · 01-22-2009, 04:24 PM

Re: Debt collectors - How do you know they are real?

I had one of those BS "debt collectors" harass me in Springfield, IL...their name was "Riddle and Associates". I too used the Google and found that it was pretty much a scam, that the more info they got from you the more they could pin stuff to you, etc.

I was lucky though, they only had our home number and every call was a recording. After a while, I just ignored them. All my accounts were closed or in good standing, my credit reports were clean (save my bankruptcy), and I knew we had no outstanding debts save our mortgage and car payment.

**Brandwin** · 01-22-2009, 04:36 PM

Re: Debt collectors - How do you know they are real?

Thing is, I think I have this debt, but not sure. I need them to send everything to me in writing.

**ChubbyBanana** · 01-22-2009, 04:47 PM

Re: Debt collectors - How do you know they are real?

Originally posted by DookieMowf

Thing is, I think I have this debt, but not sure. I need them to send everything to me in writing.

That would be the best bet.

**areobee401** · 01-22-2009, 04:50 PM

Re: Debt collectors - How do you know they are real?

First of how old is this debt?

If you have never been sued for this debt then after 7 years it is what they call a ghost debt. What that means is it will not show on your credit score and you no longer owe them anything. But keep in mind if you pay even a single penny on it before those 7 years you restart the 7 year cycle.

**SuperBowlNachos** · 01-22-2009, 04:52 PM

Re: Debt collectors - How do you know they are real?

What company do you owe?

Debt collectors - How do you know they are real?

Recommended Videos

Debt collectors - How do you know they are real?

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment