[TXBSAFH]

FYI

[Constitution Day]

[Grit]

http://www.DaveRamsey.com

[MineralMan]

Very interesting. I believe if they pull this extortion scheme on me, they'll be dealing with the FBI. It's a federal crime to extort money using the telephone. It's called wire fraud.

[Publius6961]

Consumer advocates say the zombie's goal is often to get people to pay just to stop their harassment, and it can be a very lucrative goal.

Been there, done that. Never had a second thought.
Granted, my solution is simple but unworkable for the insecure, for those with a cell phone constantly in their ear, or who rush to answer the phone on the first ring... as if a telephone is meant for the convenience of all others, rather than oneself.

I simply have my answering machine on all the time. I can hear the caller. If I know them, I answer. If I don't, the system just dutifully tolerates another non-message.

[isom35]

George Romero ping.

[joebuck]

If anyone receives a call like this, just mention these words: "Fair Debt Collection Practices Act." This is a federal statute which provides for significant damages against debt collectors for a wide variety of intimidating practices. Trust me, all collection attorneys are terrified of this act as many of them got hammered after it first went into law. If the harassment continues, get a lawyer. Many good lawyers will take a FDCPA case on a contingency basis because it provides for specified damages and attorney fees. It's an awesome wepon for the borrrower.

[Kokojmudd]

Consumer collection companies buy debt all the time that is too old to sue on because the SOL has expired, but they report it to the consumer credit bureaus and change the date of last activity. This happens all the time.

[dighton]

"I've been authorized to process file #784," one phone call said.

OMG, not file #784!

[DogBarkTree]

Here's another idea, pay your bills & live within your means.

[ASA Vet]

Zombies are much worse than protrayed in this article.

Bob Hope explains zombies.

[NRA1995]

I'll see your zombie and raise you a Pinhead!

[Doohickey]

This should be illegal. Once a debt is charged off, for better or worse, it's gone forever. I used to work for a credit card company that bought charged-off debt. What a despicable practice.

[Jhohanna]

HEH! Timely, I'll say... THANK YOU!!!!!!! This just happened to me. I got a letter that was for 3x what I originally owed, and it was paid over 5 years ago. The debt was incurred over 9 years ago. LMAO. I've already had it taken OFF of my credit report.

But what are we really supposed to do? I don't even think I have PROOF that I paid off ANOTHER debt collector that had bought the loan - anymore, because I got it off of my credit report?!?!

[RichInOC]

Okay, this was not what I was expecting. Too bad, too. It would have been a lot cooler.

[Clemenza]

So THAT'S what happenned to Rod Argent and the boys. They went into debt collection after Odyssey and Oracle

[Marie Antoinette]

Pingaroonie, lotsa good info here.