https://cashcourse.org/assets/article-dealing-with-debt-collectors-B8b5yJdc.js

1import l from"./NavigateExternalWebsiteLink-DK9aU4y3.js";import{z as a,o as r,c as s,i as e,a as o,h as n,w as i,F as u}from"./index-dTZKzxlM.js";import"./LoadingIndicator-BD4Jf9DD.js";const m=a({__name:"article-dealing-with-debt-collectors",props:{article:{}},setup(d){return(f,t)=>(r(),s(u,null,[t[21]||(t[21]=e("p",null,"If you fall behind on bill payments, you might be contacted by debt collectors. That means a business or organization you owe money to has either hired a third-party company to work your account or sold your debt directly to them.",-1)),t[22]||(t[22]=e("p",null,"The goal of the debt collector is to get you to pay them as much of the original bill as possible. They have a legal right to call you, but the government places limits on their actions. Effectively dealing with debt collectors requires you to understand those limits and your rights as a consumer.",-1)),t[23]||(t[23]=e("h3",null,"Understanding Your Rights",-1)),e("p",null,[t[1]||(t[1]=o("Thanks to the ",-1)),n(l,{class:"article-link","data-testid":"fdcp-link",href:"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/debt-collection-faqs",context:"Navigate to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Website","link-text":"Fair Debt Collection Practices Act"},{default:i(()=>[...t[0]||(t[0]=[o("Fair Debt Collection Practices Act",-1)])]),_:1}),t[2]||(t[2]=o(", you’ve got plenty of them. Under this law, a debt collector may not:",-1))]),t[24]||(t[24]=e("ul",null,[e("li",null,"Contact you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., unless you agree to it"),e("li",null,"Contact you at work if you’ve told them you’re not allowed to get calls there"),e("li",null,"Make threats or use abusive language"),e("li",null,"Harass you by calling repeatedly"),e("li",null,"Make false statements")],-1)),t[25]||(t[25]=e("p",null,"To effectively enforce your rights, you must document all contact with debt collectors. Note the time of each phone call, the name of the person you spoke to, and what was said. Keep a file of any written collection notices you receive.",-1)),t[26]||(t[26]=e("h3",null,"Put an End to Collection Calls",-1)),e("p",null,[t[4]||(t[4]=o("If you want a debt collector to stop calling, mail a certified letter requesting them to cease contact. Make sure to keep a copy of the letter and the mail receipt for your files. These ",-1)),n(l,{class:"article-link","data-testid":"sl-link",href:"https://www.consumerreports.org/consumerist/5-sample-letters-that-get-debt-collectors-out-of-your-face/",context:"Navigate to the Consumer Reports Sample Letters Website","link-text":"sample letters"},{default:i(()=>[...t[3]||(t[3]=[o("sample letters",-1)])]),_:1}),t[5]||(t[5]=o(" from Consumer Reports can help you get started.",-1))]),t[27]||(t[27]=e("p",null,"Under the law, a debt collector may not contact you again once you’ve taken such action. The only exceptions are calling to inform you that there will be no further contact or to notify you of their intention to take a specific action against you, such as filing a lawsuit to collect the debt.",-1)),t[28]||(t[28]=e("h3",null,"Report Abusive Debt Collectors",-1)),t[29]||(t[29]=e("p",null,"If you believe a debt collector is engaging in illegal practices, there are multiple ways to report them:",-1)),e("ul",null,[e("li",null,[t[7]||(t[7]=o("The ",-1)),n(l,{class:"article-link","data-testid":"cfpb-link",href:"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/",context:"Navigate to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Website","link-text":"Consumer Financial Protection Bureau"},{default:i(()=>[...t[6]||(t[6]=[o("Consumer Financial Protection Bureau",-1)])]),_:1})]),e("li",null,[t[9]||(t[9]=o("The ",-1)),n(l,{class:"article-link","data-testid":"ftc-link",href:"https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/",context:"Navigate to the Federal Trade Commission Website","link-text":"Federal Trade Commission"},{default:i(()=>[...t[8]||(t[8]=[o("Federal Trade Commission",-1)])]),_:1})]),e("li",null,[t[11]||(t[11]=o("The office of the ",-1)),n(l,{class:"article-link","data-testid":"ag-link",href:"https://www.naag.org/find-my-ag/",context:"Navigate to the Find Attorney General Website","link-text":"Attorney General"},{default:i(()=>[...t[10]||(t[10]=[o("Attorney General",-1)])]),_:1}),t[12]||(t[12]=o(" in your state",-1))])]),e("p",null,[t[15]||(t[15]=o("For legal advice, reach out to ",-1)),n(l,{class:"article-link","data-testid":"la-link",href:"https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid/i-need-legal-help",context:"Navigate to the Legal Aid Website","link-text":"Legal Aid"},{default:i(()=>[...t[13]||(t[13]=[o("Legal Aid",-1)])]),_:1}),t[16]||(t[16]=o(" or to a ",-1)),n(l,{class:"article-link","data-testid":"ca-link",href:"https://www.consumeradvocates.org/findanattorney/",context:"Navigate to the Consumer Advocates Website","link-text":"consumer attorney"},{default:i(()=>[...t[14]||(t[14]=[o("consumer attorney",-1)])]),_:1}),t[17]||(t[17]=o(" in your state.",-1))]),t[30]||(t[30]=e("h3",null,"Get Help Paying Down Debt",-1)),e("p",null,[t[19]||(t[19]=o("Reach out to a ",-1)),n(l,{class:"article-link","data-testid":"cc-link",href:"https://www.nfcc.org/",context:"Navigate to the Credit Counselor Website","link-text":"credit counselor"},{default:i(()=>[...t[18]||(t[18]=[o("credit counselor",-1)])]),_:1}),t[20]||(t[20]=o(" for assistance in paying creditors, organizing your bills, and creating a financial plan for paying down debt and building up savings.",-1))]),t[31]||(t[31]=e("p",null,"Finding yourself in the financial hot seat of not having enough money to pay your bills can be embarrassing and overwhelming. But knowing how to handle debt collectors, reaching out for help, and creating a plan of action can help you reduce stress and gain control over your finances again.",-1))],64))}});

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