LAWS THAT PROTECT THE BORROWER – UNTIL THEY DON’T. DEBT COLLECTORS TRICK CONSUMERS INTO BRINGING DEAD DEBTS BACK TO LIFE.
There are legal protections for the consumer if a creditor does not take steps to collect a debt in a certain period of time – referred to as the statute of limitations (in Arizona, depending on the type of debt, ranges from 2 to 6 years). Even though there is a debt, once it is beyond the statute of limitations the borrower cannot be sued. But, debt collectors found a back door – they bully the borrower into paying “just a little” (somewhat like a whiny child). The moment the borrower pays this “little bit” the statute of limitations starts all over. The debt collectors are not required to notify the borrower about their rights.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposed a national standard for how debt collectors must explain to borrowers that they cannot be sued on an expired debt “zombie debt”.
Five Sample Letters to send debt collectors:
Wondering how to respond to a debt collector? Our sample letters can help if you:
- Need more information
- Do not owe the debt
- Want the debt collector to stop contacting you while you dispute the debt
- Want the debt collector to only contact you through a lawyer
- Want to specify how the debt collector can contact you
* These letters are not legal advice. You’ll also want to keep copies of any letters you send.
CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU PROPOSAL WOULD ALLOW DEBT COLLECTORS TO CALL 7-TIMES A WEEK AND UNLIMITED EMAILING OR TEXTING (PUSHED BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION)
An example of the Trump Administration working against the consumer: wants to allow debt collectors to call 7 times a week and text, email as much as they want, according to the Washington Post.
The Trump administration has been the war-path trying to limit the powers of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) because it was looking out for you and me, not the big banks, payday lenders, unscrupulous car dealers and others that prey on the consumer (you). May 7, 2019 – issued a Notice of Proposed Rule-making to “modernize” the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) (which has been law since 1977). The 1977 law did not address digital communications.
Debt collectors monitor your Facebook and other social media accounts
The report discloses that debt collectors monitor Facebook and LinkedIn accounts to find former employers and family members and contact these people, with the hope to put pressure on the borrower to pay, when many times it is not a valid debt (wrong borrower, debt paid in full or identity theft).
MUSINGS FROM DIANE:

Be Kind to Each Other

Diane is a well respected Arizona bankruptcy and foreclosure attorney. As a retired law professor, she believes in offering everyone, not just her clients, advice about bankruptcy and Arizona foreclosure laws. Diane is also a mentor to hundreds of Arizona attorneys.
*Important Note from Diane: Everything on this web site is offered for educational purposes only and not intended to provide legal advice, nor create an attorney client relationship between you, me, or the author of any article. Information in this web site should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from an attorney familiar with your personal circumstances and licensed to practice law in your state. Make sure to check out their reviews.*
In Case You Missed It
Published On: July 19, 2023
IMPORTANT PROGRESS FOR STUDENT LOAN BORROWERS WHO HAVE BEEN IN REPAYMENT TWO DECADES OR MORE Posting from the National Consumer Law Center Important Progress for Student Loan Borrowers Reposting from NCLC, July [...]
Published On: March 28, 2023
DOD to Help Military and Their Families SIX New Measures to Enhance Well-Being Release from US Department of Defense, March 22, 2023 Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III unveiled a comprehensive plan [...]
Published On: March 6, 2023
PEOPLE MAY WANT TO FILE A TAX RETURN – EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED TO DO SO Posting from the IRS & Filing Tips IRS Tax Tip 2023-27, March 2, 2023 [...]
Published On: July 24, 2022
Want to avoid dishonest debt collectors? Watch this video from FTC’s Consumer Advice By Joseph Ferrari,July 22, 2022 (reprint from FTC, Consumer Alerts) During Military Consumer Month 2022, the FTC [...]