I was looking this up as I was checking Craigslist for a job.
They show they are a Utility Company looking for Telemarketers.
Now I see this is not true. Could be their way of finding people they have on a list?
TELL BILL COLLECTORS THE FOLLOWING:
"I DO NOT pay bill collectors, so take my name and number off your list. I will settle
any bills I owe with the ORIGINAL CREDITOR. THANK YOU. GOOD BYE." Hang up.
Never, pay a bill collector. THEY BUY your name and information. And when you pay them they RE-SELL your original bill owed information!
1. Your bill may have been paid by you after your name was sold.
Prior to a collector contacting you.
2. The Original Account most likely wrote it off as a loss, and you may not owe it any longer.
3. Or the Original Account will accept a lower payment or percentage of the bill to take it off your credit report. (GET IT ALL IN WRITING BEFORE YOU PAY IT OFF. SO YOU CAN PROVE TO THE CREDIT BUREAUS THAT YOU DID AS YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO DO AND THEY NEED TO REMOVE IT FROM YOUR CREDIT REPORT. ....ALWAYS MAKE COPIES NEVER SEND AN ORIGINAL BILL!)
4. You may have paid the bill collector but they get money for selling lists of names and you could be on that list, EVEN IF YOU PAID THE BILL COLLECTOR SELLING THE LIST or THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR!
Get a copy of your Credit Report from all three (3) agencies. Check for Bill Collectors or any discrepancies. Write a letter to each Report explaining (Briefly), that you do not owe this bill or you paid the original or what ever the case may be. BE TRUTHFUL!
KEEP ALL RECORDS! FOREVER! Create a file and keep the bill and envelope with the date mailed stamp from post office. Make copies (SOME RECEIPTS FADE SO COPY THEM TOO!) of all checks, money orders etc. NEVER PAY CASH!
CHECK YOUR CREDIT REPORT YEARLY TO KEEP CLEAR.
TRY TO PAY ALL BILLS ON TIME. All bills no matter how big or small.
It does make a difference and really helps your credit score.
NOW, IF THEY KEEP CALLING SAY THE FOLLOWING:
"I spoke with (get names always and extensions--ALWAYS), on (give date and time--ALWAYS WRITE THIS DOWN), and told you to remove my name and number. I do not pay bill collectors. I only pay the original establishments IF I owe any monies to. Now, if you do not stop calling me I will be reporting you to the FTC, and the FCC.
Thank you, Good Bye." and hang up.
DON'T YELL IF YOU CAN HELP IT.
IF THEY YELL AT YOU JUST KEEP TALKING. Or wait for them to stop.
Make sure they hear the FTC and FCC. part!
When they tell you that this is being Recorded say GOOD, I WANT (STRESS WANT) PROOF OF THIS CALL!
THE LINKS TO CHECK OUT:
FTC: Debt Collection FAQs: A Guide for Consumers
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre18.shtm
FTC:
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/
FCC:
http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm
NOTE: You can set up payments of $5.00 a month to pay off bills. As long as you pay each month they will NOT go to collection!