Re: Debt Collections+FDCPA

Posted by J Kelly (151.197.37.78) on February 25, 2004 at 19:46:47:

In Reply to: Debt Collections+FDCPA posted by A Professional Debt Collector on February 25, 2004 at 19:14:25:

There are just a few things in your comments that I would take issue with.

You said we can ignore our debts and have assets seized or file bk. You are assuming that we have assets that can be seized. All of mine were exempt. I counted on my credit report (just for you) I had 13 credit cards. Banks cards with large balances, small gas card, dept. store cards. I was sued in the end, by only ONE of the cards. I filed bk. because it was the easiest and cheapest thing for me to do. Being close to retirement age, I really don't need credit and haven't used a credit card in 6 years now.
All of us here are very much aware of the FDCPA. Many CAs ignore it. CAs threaten people with jail, the sheriff coming to their home and taking away all of their furniture, home seizure when the law does not permit it, and it goes on and on. I post on two boards, and some of the stories I hear are outrageous. People don't know their rights and are scared.
The other comment that I take exception to is that we should pay our bills and not attain things that we can not pay for.
That sounds like a good idea, but it does not take into account that jobs are lost, children get sick, accidents happen. The people on this forum are good decent people. They did not deliberately use charge cards with the intention of not paying them. They have come on hard times. It can happen to anyone. I had an accident, AND I was able to keep up with my bills for about a year. Like 99% of the people here I just couldn't pay the credit cards anymore. Collectors did not care about my circumstances. They just wanted their money and were full of threats. I decided to IGNORE THEM.

I was sued in the end by one CA. However, considering all of the harrassment I avoided, I think my strategy was pretty good. I only wish I had filed bk sooner.

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