Consumer Rights vs Collection Agencies

[Dan Gould]

I know that debtors have certain rights with collection agencies, like telling them not to contact at work, but what are the rights of individuals getting harrassed by a company that has the wrong person?

My wife got a credit card offer in the mail (addressed to "Suzanne" not "Susan"), which turned out to be an offer wherein 1/2 of her "debt" (which they claimed was over $13000) would be forgiven if she opened this credit card account. So she calls the 800 number and they asked for the last four of her social security number to prove that she isn't the person they're looking for, they seem real apologetic and that's that.

Til today, a scant two days later when we got a voicemail message insisting that she call immediately to clear up her "account".

I swear, if I get one more call from these bozos I'm going to go ballistic on their asses. But in the meantime, does anyone know what the rights of the falsely accused are in this situation?

Thanks.

[connoisseur series500]

I swear, if I get one more call from these bozos I'm going to go ballistic on their asses.

Man, I believe you.

But seriously, sounds annoying and here's to hoping you guys get it cleared up shortly.

[kh1958]

I believe that the main source of consumer rights against abusive debt collectors is contained in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpa/fdcpact.htm

[Big Wheel]

I know that debtors have certain rights with collection agencies, like telling them not to contact at work, but what are the rights of individuals getting harrassed by a company that has the wrong person?

My wife got a credit card offer in the mail (addressed to "Suzanne" not "Susan"), which turned out to be an offer wherein 1/2 of her "debt" (which they claimed was over $13000) would be forgiven if she opened this credit card account. So she calls the 800 number and they asked for the last four of her social security number to prove that she isn't the person they're looking for, they seem real apologetic and that's that.

Til today, a scant two days later when we got a voicemail message insisting that she call immediately to clear up her "account".

I swear, if I get one more call from these bozos I'm going to go ballistic on their asses. But in the meantime, does anyone know what the rights of the falsely accused are in this situation?

Thanks.

Frankly, this sounds more like a scam to me than a case of mistaken identity. What collection agency (or credit card company) offers a credit card to people who are already drowning in debt?

[Dan Gould]

Contact the Clark Howard Show

"Save more, spend less and avoid getting ripped off"

http://clarkhoward.com/inside/ask_team_clark.html

Thanks, but the second time we read them the riot act, the threats contained therein seemed to take.

[Chuck Nessa]

If she indeed gave the guy her "last four digits" I'd be very diligent.

[Jazzmoose]

Yeah; she should have only offered the middle digit...

[Dan Gould]

If she indeed gave the guy her "last four digits" I'd be very diligent.

She's a mortgage broker and has an account with credit reporting companies. We've already checked her report and plan to do so again in a month.

[AllenLowe]

just for safe-keeping, why don't you post your current credit card numbers here - and don't forget the security codes -