You just received a call from a collector who was rude, obnoxious and very abusive to you and now you're both scared and angry! You're looking for help understanding your rights and you want to know how to Fight Back to protect yourself and...your family!

IMPORTANT: In order to protect your rights under the FDCPA, you must place debt collection accounts in "disputed status" as soon as bill collectors or debt collection agencies contact you about debts that you believe are invalid, inaccurate or don't belong to you!

Use the information on this site and my free sample letters below to deal with unfair and illegal collection tactics. Put bill collectors on notice that you know your rights and will use them to stop their illegal harassment and abuse!

Are you experiencing a loss of income; a job loss or disability or a recent separation or divorce? Maybe you just lost a loved one; your only source of income. Perhaps a family member has been ill and medical bills are piling up? Whatever the reason for your current financial situation, sometimes paying our debts is just not possible!

When life knocks us down, that's when collection calls can be the most disturbing. When those calls come in, the only way to protect yourself and keep your sanity, is to understand your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

The worst time is when you're broke and your self-esteem has been battered and bruised. Because unscrupulous and unprofessional collectors take advantage of your phycological state of mind when they call about overdue debts Congress was forced to pass the FDCPA to protect consumers against abusive and unfair collection tactics.

Disputing debts is mandatory whenever you believe the debt to be invalid! For instance, you do not believe the debt is yours or the amount collectors claim you owe is incorrect, or you've already paid the debt off or the statute of limitations to enforce the debt has expired. Disputing collections, AKA dunning notices, is mandatory

The FDCPA gives you the right to dispute debts and even inform collectors that you refuse to pay a debt! BUT, you must do so in writing! Use the free disputing collection letters on this site or draft your own to send your initial dispute of a consumer debt to collection agencies.

IMPORTANT: Keep accurate records of all correspondence, including copies of debt collection and letters along with your dispute letters. It's vital to keep everything, even the envelopes that dunning letters arrive in. If possible, tape record all collection phone calls but ALWAYS inform the caller that you're taping the call and keep messages left on answering machines too.

Rules for dealing with debt collectors who use unfair and illegal collection tactics:

• Don't be intimidated - you have rights!
• Get everything in writing BEFORE paying AND keep accurate records!
• Remember, you decide on payment amounts and intervals NOT the collector!
• Do not let harassment and abusive treatment by debt collectors go unreported!
• You DO NOT have to pay by post-dated checks or automatic withdrawals!
• Don't let collectors bully you into payment agreements that you simply cannot afford!
• When caught off-guard ask for a call-back in a hour, so you can GATHER YOUR THOUGHTS!

Rich's Enterprises, L.L.C., Prattville Alabama
Owner/Operator Richard Rafferty
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