Some folks in the San Francisco Bay Area are surprised to get multiple telephone calls in one day from debt collectors in other parts of the country, including from other time zones. It’s extremely annoying to be harassed with multiple calls, repeatedly having to explain that the debt isn’t yours (mistaken identity or you’re a victim of identity theft), or that you already paid the debt, or the debt is so old that its period of limitations is expired.
You are not required to speak to debt collectors, even when the call is about a student loan. Send a letter by mail stating that you no longer wish to be contacted by phone. If the calls continue, you may be able to sue the debt collector for damages under California and Federal laws. Take the following steps immediately to preserve your rights:
- Save all notices and letters from collection agencies.
- Save all voice messages from debt collectors.
- Make a written log of all calls, and conversations with debt collectors.
- Take a photo or screen shot of caller ID of all calls from debt collectors, even if they did not speak to you or leave a message.
Note that even if debt collectors are calling from outside California, they must comply with California’s Rosenthal Act.
If the debt collector says that there is a judgment against you, see posts about being sued and default judgments.
Taxman Cometh, Even in Debt Resolution
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