Collectors are entitled to do their job, but you are equally entitled to exercise your rights. Here are the credit repair techniques that will give you confidence, allow you to gain the upper hand, and maybe even come out ahead.
Don’t Call Me at Work
Collectors are not allowed to call you at work if you inform them that your employer does not permit you to take personal calls. So if you are being contacted during working hours, and it makes you uncomfortable, just utilize this quick credit repair tactic.
Put it in Writing
You would not give money to a stranger just because they ask for it. You should treat a collection call like any request for money from a stranger. Tell them that you do not discuss financial matters over the phone. Just politely request that they put their communication in writing and that you will review it and respond accordingly. This will create a great credit repair opportunity.
Validate the Debt
Once you receive the collection letter you have the right to ask them to prove their legal right to collect and to provide documentation of the amount they claim you owe. This is called debt validation and is an important credit repair tool. When you get the letter write back to them right away and ask them to document the debt. Act quickly, you must respond within 30 days.
The Lawyer Defense
If you tell a collector that you have hired an attorney to manage your financial matters they are required to ask you for the name and number of the attorney and to henceforth communicate with them rather that you. This is a great credit repair defense for anyone who is not comfortable with dealing directly with a collector, and who has the means to hire an attorney.
Cease Communication Letter
You have the right to ask a collector to leave you alone. If you do it by the book they will never contact you again, except maybe to inform you that they will be seeking legal recourse. The formal communication is called a cease communication letter and should be used with caution because it may trigger a lawsuit. If you are in our credit repair program we will advise you of the appropriateness of this method.
Leave it To Us
In spite of the simplicity of these credit repair techniques, dealing with a collector requires care. If you are in our program, leave it to us. We will research the statute of limitation on the subject debt, advise you of the risks and opportunities, and make sure that you get the best possible outcome.