
SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years

For Scam Victims: Debt Collections – Your Rights
Debt Management For Scams Victims – Part 3
Romance Scam Victim Support
Debt Collection FAQs – Maintaining Control
When a debt collector calls, it’s important to know your rights and what you need to do.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which makes it illegal for debt collectors to use abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices when they collect debts.
Why We Present This Information
Your emotional recovery is only half the battle for most victims! A victim can typically recover emotionally in one to two years after the scam, however, financial recovery usually takes much longer – for some about 4 years, and for others even longer (if ever).
We feel it is important for you to understand the process of financial recovery, debt management, and controlling the collection process.
This information is provided with United States residents in mind, but you should check with your government about these issues for your country. Not all countries are the same in this, and some of the rights indicated below may not apply.
Your Debt Collection Rights
What types of debts are covered by debt collectors?
Your credit card debt, auto loans, medical bills, student loans, mortgage, and other household debts are covered. Business debts are not.
Can debt collectors contact me any time or any place?
No. Debt collectors can’t contact you at inconvenient times or places. They can’t contact you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., unless you agree to it. They also can’t contact you at work if they’re told you’re not allowed to get calls there.
How can a debt collector contact me?
Debt collectors can call you, or send letters, emails, or text messages to collect a debt.
How can I stop a debt collector from contacting me?
Send a letter by mail asking for contact to stop (make yourself a copy before you do). You might want to send it by certified mail and pay for a “return receipt” so you have a record the collector received it. Once the collector gets your letter, it can only contact you to confirm it will stop contacting you, or to tell you a specific action, like filing a lawsuit, will be taken. If you are represented by an attorney and inform the collector, the collector must communicate with your attorney, not you, unless the attorney fails to respond within a reasonable period of time to the communication from the debt collector.
You might want to talk to the collector at least once, even if you don’t think you owe the debt or can’t repay it immediately. That way you can confirm whether it’s really your debt. If it is your debt, you can find out from the collector more information about it. In talking with a debt collector, be careful about sharing your personal or financial information, especially if you’re not already familiar with the collector.
Can a debt collector contact anyone else about my debt?
A debt collector generally can’t discuss your debt with anyone but you or your spouse. If an attorney is representing you, the debt collector has to contact the attorney. A collector can contact other people to find out your address, your home phone number, and where you work, but usually can’t contact them more than once.
What does the debt collector have to tell me about the debt?
A collector has to send you a written “validation notice” within five days of first contacting you. The notice has to say:
- how much money you owe
- the name of the creditor you owe it to
- what to do if you don’t think it’s your debt
What if I don’t think I owe the debt?
You can send a debt collector a letter saying you don’t owe any or all of the money, or asking for verification of the debt. If you send the letter within 30 days of getting the validation notice, the collector has to send you written verification of the debt, like a copy of a bill for the amount you owe, before it can start trying to collect the debt again. You also can get a collector to stop contacting you, at any time, by sending a letter by mail asking for contact to stop.
What are debt collectors not allowed to do?
They can’t harass you. For example, they can’t:
- threaten you with violence or harm
- use obscene or profane language
- repeatedly use the phone to annoy you
They can’t lie. For example, they can’t:
- misrepresent the amount you owe
- lie about being attorneys or government representatives
- falsely claim you’ll be arrested, or claim legal action will be taken against you if it’s not true
They can’t engage in unfair practices. For example, they can’t:
- try to collect interest, fees, or other charges on top of the amount you owe, unless the original contract or your state law allows it
- deposit a post-dated check early
- take or threaten to take your property unless it can be done legally
Can I control which debts my payments apply to?
Yes. If a debt collector is trying to collect more than one debt from you, it must apply any payment you make to the debt you choose. A debt collector may not apply a payment to a debt you say you don’t owe.
What should I do if a debt collector sues me?
If a debt collector files a lawsuit against you to collect a debt, respond, either personally or through your attorney, by the date specified in the court papers. That will preserve your rights.
Can a debt collector take money from my paycheck?
Yes, but the collector must first sue you to get a court order — called a garnishment — that says it can take money from your paycheck to pay your debts. A collector also can seek a court order to take money from your bank account. Don’t ignore a lawsuit, or you could lose the opportunity to fight a court order.
Can my federal benefits be garnished?
Many federal benefits are generally exempt from garnishment, though they might still be garnished to pay delinquent taxes, alimony, child support, or student loans. States have their own laws about which state benefits can be garnished.
What if my debt is old?
Debt collectors have a certain number of years they can sue you and win to collect a debt. It’s called the statute of limitations, and usually begins when you fail to make a payment on a debt. Once it’s over, your unpaid debt is considered “time-barred,” but in some states, you have to raise the age of the debt as a defense to win.
How long the statute of limitations on a debt lasts depends on what kind of debt it is, and the law in your state or the state specified in your credit contract.
Also, under the laws of some states, if you make a payment or provide written acknowledgment of your debt, the clock may start ticking again.
Can a debt collector contact me about a time-barred debt?
Yes. Even if a debt collector can’t successfully sue you over a time-barred debt, you may still owe it.
What if I’m not sure whether my debt is time-barred?
Ask the collector when its records show you made your last payment. You also can send the collector a letter within 30 days of receiving a written notice of the debt. Explain why you’re disputing the debt and that you want to verify it. A collector must stop trying to collect until it gives you verification.
Does a time-barred debt stay on my credit report?
Maybe. The statute of limitations for a debt is usually different from the reporting period for a debt on your credit report. In general, negative information stays on your credit report for seven years.
Do I have to pay a debt that’s considered time-barred?
It’s up to you. Consider talking to an attorney before you decide. You can:
- Pay nothing. The collector can’t sue you, but can continue to contact you unless you send a letter by mail asking for contact to stop.
- Make a partial payment. In some states, if you pay any amount on a time-barred debt or even promise to pay, the debt is “revived,” and the statute of limitations resets. The collector might be able to sue you to collect the full amount of the debt, which may include extra interest and fees.
- Pay off the debt. Some collectors will accept less than what you owe to settle a debt. Before you make any payment to settle a debt, get a signed form or letter from the collector that says the amount you’re paying settles the entire debt and releases you from any further obligation. Also keep a record of the payments you make to pay off the debt.
What should I do if I’m sued for a time-barred debt?
You still need to respond. Consider talking to an attorney. If you ignore a lawsuit, the collector could get a court judgment and garnishment against you. Tell the judge the debt is time-barred, and show a copy of the verification notice from the collector or any information that shows the date of your last payment.
Where do I report a debt collector for an alleged violation?
Report any problems you have with a debt collector to:
- your state attorney general’s office
- the Federal Trade Commission
- the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Many states have their own debt collection laws that are different from the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Your attorney general’s office can help you determine your rights under your state’s law.8
What else can I do if I think a debt collector has broken the law?
You can sue a collector in a state or federal court within one year of the date the law was violated. You can sue for damages, like lost wages and medical bills. If you can’t prove damages, you can still be awarded up to $1,000, plus reimbursement for attorney’s fees and court costs. A group of people suing as part of a class-action lawsuit can recover money for damages up to $500,000, or one percent of the collector’s net worth, whichever amount is lower.
Even if a court finds a debt collector violated the FDCPA in trying to collect a debt, you still owe the debt.
For More Information About Scam Victim Financial Recovery:
Select the following SCARS Articles & Guides for more information:
- SUPPORT & INFORMATION FOR NEW SCAM VICTIMS
- Scam Victims Debt Part 1: Recognize It, Confront It, Control It, Survive It!
- Scam Victims Debt Part 2: Debt Collection Scams & Managing Real Collections
- Scam Victims Debt Part 3: Collections & Your Rights
- Scam Victim Debt Part 4: IRS/Tax Debt
- SCARS™ Guide: Reclaiming Financial Control After A Scam
- Online Banking Safety For Scam Victims – An Overview
- Suing Your Money Mule or Scammer
- SCARS Next Steps™ – You Gave The Scammer Your Information?
TAGS: SCARS, Information About Scams, Anti-Scam, Scams, Scammers, Fraudsters, Cybercrime, Crybercriminals, Romance Scams, Scam Victims, Online Fraud, Online Crime Is Real Crime, Scam Avoidance, Financial Recovery, Addressing Debt, Debt Collection,
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By the SCARS™ Editorial Team
Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
A Worldwide Crime Victims Assistance & Crime Prevention Nonprofit Organization Headquartered In Miami Florida USA & Monterrey NL Mexico, with Partners In More Than 60 Countries
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Important Information for New Scam Victims
- Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
- Enroll in FREE SCARS Scam Survivor’s School now at www.SCARSeducation.org
- Please visit www.ScamPsychology.org – to more fully understand the psychological concepts involved in scams and scam victim recovery
If you are looking for local trauma counselors please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org or join SCARS for our counseling/therapy benefit: membership.AgainstScams.org
If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
A Note About Labeling!
We often use the term ‘scam victim’ in our articles, but this is a convenience to help those searching for information in search engines like Google. It is just a convenience and has no deeper meaning. If you have come through such an experience, YOU are a Survivor! It was not your fault. You are not alone! Axios!
A Question of Trust
At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
Statement About Victim Blaming
Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and to not blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and to help victims avoid scams in the future. At times this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims, we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.
These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.
Articles like these help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org
Psychology Disclaimer:
All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only
The information provided in this article is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.
While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.
Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.
If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.
Also read our SCARS Institute Statement about Professional Care for Scam Victims – click here to go to our ScamsNOW.com website.
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