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Another reason a debt collector may be contacting you is that an imposter has used your identity to obtain credit, a crime known as identity theft. You are not responsible for the debt, but you may expe- rience difficulties convincing the debt collector of this. Under federal law, the debt collector has certain responsibilities in investigating your situation and may be liable for failure to cooperate.
2 . Know your rights . Learn to recognize abusive collection practices. Even if you owe a debt, a collector owes you fair treatment and respect for your privacy. Also, be aware that even if the collector’s conduct does not exactly match the language of the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, that collector may still be liable for its conduct.
3 . Ask questions and learn specifics . Often the first contact with the debt collector is a telephone call from a representative, a pre-recorded message asking you to call a toll-free number, or a letter. When a col- lector calls or you call back, get as much information as possible. Ask for the name of the caller, the collection agency, the creditor, and the address and fax number for sending correspondence. Also ask about the amount the collector claims you owe. In this first call, you should also tell the caller you expect written follow-up if you have not yet received a notice in the mail.
4 . Assert your right to privacy . If your first contact with a collector is by telephone, tell the caller that you want all future contact in writing rather than by phone. You can also instruct the collector not to call you at work or at all if that is your choice. Make notes of your first conversation and start to keep a file. It’s very important to follow up on such requests in writing right away. Your letter should include requests about contact or other matters discussed in your first telephone con- tact. Note: If you notify the collector not to contact you at all, the collector is entitled to contact you one more time to explain how it intends to proceed.
Also you should tell and write the collector that you are the only person to be contacted. Since the agency is well aware of your location, there
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act