Bill Collector Mistakes

The law defines what a bill collector can and cannot say when they call. If they violate these rules (which they often do), they play right into your hands.

The most common violation involves threats. A bill collector cannot threaten to do anything that he is not prepared to follow through on. He can't threaten to screw up your credit report. (Most collection agencies don't report to the credit agencies anyway).

He cannot threaten to call you repeatedly. He cannot represent himself as being an attorney when he's not an actual licensed lawyer and a member of the state bar.

He can't threaten to sue you unless he's actually prepared to take you to court. He can't threaten to tell your neighbors, friends or co-workers about your debt.

In addition he must call you during civil hours - usually between 8am and 9 pm. In most states he cannot contact you at your work number if your employer has a policy of not allowing personal calls.

He cannot discuss your debts with anyone other than yourself and your wife. He cannot use phone calls to annoy or harass you or your family. And lastly he cannot use profane or abusive language.

You can file a complaint with your state that will tarnish the bill collector's employer and may even get the collector himself fired if he's accumulated too many complaints. A complaint to the state department of commerce or department of state is an effective weapon. Many of these agencies now have online complaint forms that make complaining extremely easy.