This recent article by consumerist.com (https://consumerist.com/2014/03/20/most-debt-collector-complaints-made-by-consumers-being-hounded-for-money-they-dont-owe/) reminds us again why “debt collectors are the worst!”
According to the CFPB, 34% of debt collection complaints relate to collectors continually attempting to collect on a debt that is not owed. Of those complaints, 65% claim the debt is not theirs and 27% report paying the debt.
The rest of the complaints deal with communication and contact issues, such as threatening illegal action, over-disclosing or failing to verify the debt, making false statements, etc.
Basically, the debt collection industry is like the wild-west out there. The CFPB is trying to do its best, but at the end of the day, consumers are still undergoing constant harassment.
If you are undergoing debt collection harassment, don’t sit idly by. Contact an attorney who can handle all of the collection calls, can dispute a debt on your behalf, and negotiate with the collector.