Debt collectors may ask questions to verify your identity, but you should never provide sensitive or financial information, at least not until you’ve verified the debt and that it’s not a scam.
If you’re contacted by a debt collector, they may usually ask you for certain information to ensure they’re talking with the right person before they can start asking about the debt. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) generally limits who debt collectors can speak to about your debt, so they may ask questions to ensure they’re talking to the right person.
How to validate a debt collector’s legitimacy
Debt collectors are required to provide you with certain information when or soon after they first communicate with you, in a format usually called a debt collection validation notice. Usually provided electronically or in writing, the notice is meant to help you understand whether the debt is yours, and if not, how you can dispute it.
In addition, if you are speaking to the debt collector on the phone, you can also ask them to provide:
Personal information legitimate debt collectors may request
The debt collector may ask you for personal information to verify your identity. This may include:
Your full name
Date of birth
Last four digits of your Social Security number
Past and/or current address
If you choose not to verify your identity by providing information, like your Social Security number, the debt collector will generally ask you for another form of identification, including:
Account number for the debt in question, if you know it
Other contact information, such as your current or previous address
Your phone number
One or more of your most recent transactions with amounts and dates
Again, it is your choice whether or not to provide the information requested.
How to keep your personal information safe
Don’t provide personal or sensitive financial information
Never give out or confirm personal or sensitive financial information – such as your bank account, credit card, or full Social Security number – unless you know the company or person you are talking with is a real debt collector.
If the debt collector is a scam, they could use this information to:
Charge your existing credit cards
Open new credit card or checking accounts
Write fraudulent checks
Take out loans in your name
Contact your creditor
If the debt is legitimate – but you think the collector may not be – contact your creditor about the calls. Share the information you have about the suspicious calls and find out who, if anyone, the creditor has authorized to collect the debt.
Stop speaking with the caller. If nothing else works and you believe the calls are fraudulent, send a letter demanding that the caller stop contacting you, and keep a copy for your files.
You can also stop some kinds of collection contacts, like through certain mediums or at specific times. On the other hand, here's what you shouldn't do. Don't give a collector any personal financial information. Don't make a "good faith" payment, promise to pay, or admit the debt is valid.
Within five days after a debt collector first contacts you, it must send you a written notice, called a "validation notice," that tells you (1) the amount it thinks you owe, (2) the name of the creditor, and (3) how to dispute the debt in writing.
The “777 Rule” states that debt collectors may attempt to contact a consumer about a single debt up to seven times in seven days. Phone numbers do not matter; it's the number of debts that matters.
If you are struggling with debt and debt collectors, Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC can help. As soon as you use the 11-word phrase “please cease and desist all calls and contact with me immediately” to stop the harassment, call us for a free consultation about what you can do to resolve your debt problems for good.
In order to win a court case, a debt collector must prove that they have proper ownership of the debt, that you actually owe the debt, and that the amount they claim you owe is correct.
Send the agency a letter by mail asking them to confirm their debt in writing. Search for the company name on the internet, review their website, call their number, etc. Do your homework. If they refuse to answer all of your questions, there's a good chance you're in the middle of a scam.
You have the right to send what's referred to as a “drop dead letter. '' It's a cease-and-desist motion that will prevent the collector from contacting you again about the debt. Be aware that you still owe the money, and you can be sued for the debt.
Introduction: My name is Jonah Leffler, I am a determined, faithful, outstanding, inexpensive, cheerful, determined, smiling person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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