"Mike from Colorado" wrote in a forum thread on 14 Oct 2015:
They called from an unknown number asking for my brother and left (302)281-4744 as a number to call back. As soon as I heard the message, I knew it was a junk debt collector. I've heard this song and dance before. I called them back, and a Mr. Leibowitz answered. I informed them that: 1. I am not my brother's keeper, 2. If I received even one more cold call from their agency, my attorney would be filing harassment charges as allowed under interstate telephony laws, 3. The attempt to collect a debt was not specified at the beginning of the call, a violation of the 2003 FDCPA, and 4. My phone number is on the Federal "Do Not Call" list and I demanded my phone information be dumped from their database. "Mr. Leibowitz" could not get me off the fast enough.
Knowledge is power, friends. Scammers rely upon you NOT knowing your rights.
replies in order:
1) True, you need not comply with anything demanded by debt collectors.
2) You have some FDCPA coverage as well, as no person is to be hassled by an agency.
3) Lack of "mini Miranda" is not a violation until your brother answers. It is illegal to reveal to you the existence of your brother's debt.
4) The DNCR covers only sales calls, not debt collection.
You achieved deterrence value at best, and only for yourself. Your brother still needs to act to forestall annoyance or abuse of himself, other relatives, neighbors, employers, et al. Knowledge is power, but it can be misapplied. If you and/or your brother wanted to sue the collection agency, your arguments stemming from points 3 and 4 would be quickly dissolved by the defense.
National Do Not Call Registry Q&A
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0108-national-do-not-call-registry
FTC and CFPB material on US federal collection law:
http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpajump.shtm
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/search ... debt-collection