Debt Collection help
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'''Here are some helpful websites with more information:'''<br> | '''Here are some helpful websites with more information:'''<br> | ||
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| - | + | '''Federal Trade Commission sites:'''<br> | |
| - | [http://www.ftc.gov/ | + | [http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre18.shtm '''Debt Collection FAQ's''']<br> |
| - | [http://www.ftc.gov/ | + | [http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpajump.shtm '''Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Links''']<br> |
| - | [http://www.ftc.gov/ | + | [http://www.ftc.gov/multimedia/video/credit/debt/debt-collection.shtm '''Dealing with Debt''']<br> |
| - | [http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2010/ | + | [http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2010/07/debtcollect.shtm '''FTC Issues Report on Reforming Debt Collection Litigation''']<br> |
| - | [http://www.ftc.gov/ | + | [http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2010/01/academy.shtm '''Debt Collection Supervisors Settle FTC Charges''']<br> |
| - | [http:// | + | [http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre44.shtm '''Debt Collection Arbitration: The Who, What, Why and How''']<br> |
| - | [http:// | + | [http://business.ftc.gov/blog/2010/11/second-largest-debt-collection-civil-penalty-ftc-history-%E2%80%93-and-new-compliance-resource- '''Second Largest Debt Collection Civil Penalty in FTC History''']<br> |
| - | [http://www.ftc.gov/ | + | [http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/02/fdcpa.shtm '''FTC Report Urges Reform and Modernization of Federal Debt Collection Law; Agency Also Issues Annual FDCPA Report to Congress''']<br> |
| - | [http://www.ftc.gov/ | + | [http://www.ftc.gov/multimedia/video/credit/debt/debt-collection_eileen.shtm '''Dealing with Debt - Know Your Rights''']<br> |
| - | [http://www.ftc.gov/ | + | [http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/07/oxford.shtm '''Debt Collectors Settle with FTC; Abusive Practices Affected Consumers Nationwide''']<br> |
| - | [http://www.ftc.gov/ | + | [http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/credit/debt.shtm '''In Debt? Facts for Consumers''']<br> |
| + | [http://www.ftc.gov/opa/1996/02/allied.shtm '''Debt Collection Agency Agrees to Pay $140,000 Civil Penalty to Settle Charges it Violated in Debt Collection Practices Act''']<br> | ||
| - | |||
| + | '''Golden Gate BBB:'''<br> | ||
| - | [http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/phony-debt-collectors-target-pay-day-loan-borrowers-13286 ''' | + | [http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/phony-debt-collectors-target-pay-day-loan-borrowers-13286 '''Phony Debt Collectors Target Pay Day Loan Borrowers ''']<br> |
| - | [http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/widespread-harassment-from-phony-debt-collectors-raises-concerns-of-mass-data-breach-warns-bbb-11825 ''' | + | [http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/widespread-harassment-from-phony-debt-collectors-raises-concerns-of-mass-data-breach-warns-bbb-11825 '''Widespread Harassment from Phony Debt Collectors Raises Concerns of Mass Data Breach, Warns BBB''']<br> |
| - | [http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/ftc---before-you-file-for-personal-bankruptcy-information-about-credit-counseling-and-debtor-education-4723 ''' | + | [http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/ftc---before-you-file-for-personal-bankruptcy-information-about-credit-counseling-and-debtor-education-4723 '''Before You File for Personal Bankruptcy: Information About Credit Counseling and Debtor Education''']<br> |
| - | [http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/ftc---for-people-on-debt-management-plans-a-must-do-list-4655 ''' | + | [http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/ftc---for-people-on-debt-management-plans-a-must-do-list-4655 '''For People on Debt Management Plans: A Must-Do List''']<br> |
| - | [http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/ftc---knee-deep-in-debt-4671 ''' | + | [http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/ftc---knee-deep-in-debt-4671 '''Knee deep in debt''']<br> |
| - | [http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/ftc---fiscal-fitness-choosing-a-credit-counselor-4728 ''' | + | [http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/ftc---fiscal-fitness-choosing-a-credit-counselor-4728 '''Fiscal Fitness: Choosing a Credit Counselor''']<br> |
| - | [http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/new-laws-go-into-effect-to-fight-deceptive-debt-relief-22930 ''' | + | [http://goldengate.bbb.org/article/new-laws-go-into-effect-to-fight-deceptive-debt-relief-22930 '''New Laws Go Into Effect to Fight Deceptive Debt Relief''']<br> |
| - | Public Good Law Center | + | '''Public Good Law Center:'''<br> |
[http://publicgoodlaw.org/downloads/Avery-brief-cleaned-up.pdf '''publicgoodlaw.org''']<br> | [http://publicgoodlaw.org/downloads/Avery-brief-cleaned-up.pdf '''publicgoodlaw.org''']<br> | ||
| - | DCA LA County | + | |
| + | '''DCA LA County:'''<br> | ||
[http://dca.lacounty.gov/tscollectionagencies.htm '''dca.lacounty.gov''']<br> | [http://dca.lacounty.gov/tscollectionagencies.htm '''dca.lacounty.gov''']<br> | ||
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| - | Attorney General’s Office | + | '''Attorney General’s Office:'''<br> |
[http://ag.ca.gov/consumers/general/collection_agencies10.php '''ag.ca.gov/consumers''']<br> | [http://ag.ca.gov/consumers/general/collection_agencies10.php '''ag.ca.gov/consumers''']<br> | ||
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[http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/print_release.php?id=1788 '''ag.ca.gov/newsalerts''']<br> | [http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/print_release.php?id=1788 '''ag.ca.gov/newsalerts''']<br> | ||
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| + | |||
| + | '''Better Business Bureau Southland:'''<br> | ||
[http://www.la.bbb.org/GIReport.aspx?NewsID=288 '''www.la.bbb.org''']<br> | [http://www.la.bbb.org/GIReport.aspx?NewsID=288 '''www.la.bbb.org''']<br> | ||
| - | California and Nevada Credit Union League | + | |
| + | '''California and Nevada Credit Union League:'''<br> | ||
[http://education.ccul.org/etrain_detail.cfm?ID=3632 '''education.ccul.org''']<br> | [http://education.ccul.org/etrain_detail.cfm?ID=3632 '''education.ccul.org''']<br> | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Consumer Action:'''<br> | ||
| + | |||
| + | [http://www.consumer-action.org/downloads/english/CA_News_winter_07-08.pdf '''Consumer Action - News Winter 2007-2008''']<br> | ||
| + | |||
| + | [http://www.consumer-action.org/helpdesk/articles/debt_collectors/ '''Consumer Action - Help Desk FAQ - What types of debt collectors are sunject to the FDCPA?''']<br> | ||
| + | |||
| + | [http://www.consumer-action.org/index.php/alerts/articles/arbitration_doesnt_shield_debt_collectors_from_liability '''Consumer Action - Arbitration no shield for debt collectors''']<br> | ||
| + | |||
| + | [http://www.consumer-action.org/news/articles/ftc_proposes_new_rules_for_collecting_debt_from_dead_people/ '''Consumer Action - FTC proposes new rules for collecting debt from dead people''']<br> | ||
| + | |||
| + | [http://www.consumer-action.org/press/articles/robo-signing_at_debt_collection_companies/ '''Consumer Action - Robo-signing at debt collection companies''']<br> | ||
| + | |||
| + | [http://www.consumer-action.org/alerts/articles/debt_settlement/ '''Consumer Action - Don't get caught in the debt settlement trap''']<br> | ||
| + | |||
| + | [http://www.consumer-action.org/english/articles/the_fair_debt_law_eng '''Consumer Action - The Fair Debt Law - Consumers in Debt Series''']<br> | ||
| + | |||
| + | [http://www.consumer-action.org/news/articles/collecting_debts_from_the_dead/ '''Consumer Action - Collecting debts from the dead''']<br> | ||
| + | |||
| + | [http://www.consumer-action.org/helpdesk/articles/mini_miranda_disclosure/ '''Consumer Action - Help Desk FAQ - What is the "mini-Miranda" warning?''']<br> | ||
| + | |||
| + | [http://www.consumer-action.org/news/articles/2008_2009_winter_issue/ '''Consumer Action - 2008-2009 Winter Issue: Dealing with Debt''']<br> | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | '''Consumers Union:'''<br> | ||
| + | |||
| + | [http://www.consumersunion.org/pub/core_financial_services/001345.html '''Support for SB 339''']<br> | ||
| + | |||
| + | [http://www.consumersunion.org/pub/core_financial_services/016670.html '''Consumers Union recommends key areas for new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to target''']<br> | ||
| + | |||
| + | [http://www.consumersunion.org/pub/core_financial_services/015701.html '''Beware of Debt Settlement Trap Consumer Groups Offer Debt-Strapped Consumers Advice on Getting Real Relief''']<br> | ||
| - | Consumer | + | '''Department of Consumer Affairs:'''<br> |
| - | [http://www. | + | [http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/legal_guides/dc_2.pdf '''Summary of the fair debt collection practices statutes''']<br> |
| - | [http://www. | + | [http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/small_claims/collect.shtml '''After the Judgment - collecting or Satisfying the Judgment''']<br> |
| - | [http:// | + | [http://consumerwiki.dca.ca.gov/wiki/index.php/Collection_Agencies '''Collection Agencies''']<br> |
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | + | '''Marin County District Attorney:'''<br> | |
| - | [http://www. | + | [http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/DA/main/dist/consumerpages/debtagen.cfm?print=yes& '''WHAT TO DO IF YOU RECEIVE A DEMAND FOR PAYMENT FROM A CREDITOR OR DEBT COLLECTION AGENCY''']<br> |
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | + | '''San Diego District Attorney:'''<br> | |
| - | [http://www. | + | [http://www.sandiego.gov/cityattorney/pdf/cepunewsoct10.pdf '''Consumer news - San Diego City Attorney's Office''']<br> |
| - | |||
| - | |||
Revision as of 22:13, 9 March 2012
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All debt collection regulations in California were sunset (shut down) in 1992. There is currently no state agency that accepts consumer complaints and mediates/investigates individual complaints.
The best recourse today is for consumers to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Attorney General’s office. They don’t act on individual consumer complaints but do look at trends and file large cases. Consumers should also contact their local Beter Business Bureau or District Attorney’s office, as some of them have mediation programs.
Basic debt collection information for consumers:
1. If a consumer owes money, they can contact the company and try to work out a payment plan.
2. Don’t ignore letters and communications.
3. Seek self-help resources as soon as possible and avoid further damage to their credit rating.
4. Report illegal threats.
5. To stop debtors from harassing calls/communications consumers can send them a “cease and desist” demand letter, which requires that debt collector to stop their communications, or to communicate with their attorney if they have one.
Here are some helpful websites with more information:
Federal Trade Commission sites:
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Links
FTC Issues Report on Reforming Debt Collection Litigation
Debt Collection Supervisors Settle FTC Charges
Debt Collection Arbitration: The Who, What, Why and How
Second Largest Debt Collection Civil Penalty in FTC History
Dealing with Debt - Know Your Rights
Debt Collectors Settle with FTC; Abusive Practices Affected Consumers Nationwide
Golden Gate BBB:
Phony Debt Collectors Target Pay Day Loan Borrowers
Widespread Harassment from Phony Debt Collectors Raises Concerns of Mass Data Breach, Warns BBB
Before You File for Personal Bankruptcy: Information About Credit Counseling and Debtor Education
For People on Debt Management Plans: A Must-Do List
Fiscal Fitness: Choosing a Credit Counselor
New Laws Go Into Effect to Fight Deceptive Debt Relief
Public Good Law Center:
DCA LA County:
Attorney General’s Office:
Better Business Bureau Southland:
California and Nevada Credit Union League:
Consumer Action:
Consumer Action - News Winter 2007-2008
Consumer Action - Help Desk FAQ - What types of debt collectors are sunject to the FDCPA?
Consumer Action - Arbitration no shield for debt collectors
Consumer Action - FTC proposes new rules for collecting debt from dead people
Consumer Action - Robo-signing at debt collection companies
Consumer Action - Don't get caught in the debt settlement trap
Consumer Action - The Fair Debt Law - Consumers in Debt Series
Consumer Action - Collecting debts from the dead
Consumer Action - Help Desk FAQ - What is the "mini-Miranda" warning?
Consumer Action - 2008-2009 Winter Issue: Dealing with Debt
Consumers Union:
Consumers Union recommends key areas for new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to target
Department of Consumer Affairs:
Summary of the fair debt collection practices statutes
After the Judgment - collecting or Satisfying the Judgment
Marin County District Attorney:
WHAT TO DO IF YOU RECEIVE A DEMAND FOR PAYMENT FROM A CREDITOR OR DEBT COLLECTION AGENCY
San Diego District Attorney:
Consumer news - San Diego City Attorney's Office
Consumer Resource & Referral Guide
Directory of State Agencies
Directory of Federal Agencies
Return to DCA Home Page
