- Don’t just hang up the phone if you think someone is trying to scam you
- Report calls you think are scams
If you have traveled anywhere by plane in the past 20 years, you have likely seen a poster or billboard that says, “If you see something, say something.” The objective of the message is to make sure people speak up when they see something that doesn’t look right. A backpack left unattended. Someone asking questions about security that go beyond the norm. A strange vehicle parked outside of a home. Any of those qualify as potentially suspicious behavior.
The same is true in debt collections as well, with one small twist. It’s unlikely that you are going to see something, but you may hear or read or be told something that just sounds suspicious. If someone tells you that there is a warrant out for your arrest because of an unpaid debt, that is something you may want to verify. If someone tells you that he or she is a law enforcement officer or an officer of the court and they are calling about your unpaid credit card debt, that claim may be dubious.
It’s unfortunate, but there are bad actors in the debt collection industry, just as there are in every other industry. And, beyond that, there are legitimate collectors who sometimes say things they should not say. So what should you do in that situation?
Information About the Debt is Crucial
Your instinct may be to hang up the phone right away, but that is not always the best course of action. Try and get more information, about the debt, about whom is calling, and the company they are working for. That information may help you down the line if you file a complaint.
Other options you may want to consider include notifying the Better Business Bureau or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau about the situation. Your state attorney general also likely has a consumer protection division that you can call or share information about your experience.
You may also choose to consult with an attorney who specializes in representing consumers dealing with debt collection situations. They can be helpful in understanding whether someone is trying to scam you or if a collection attempt is legitimate.
These types of scams are only found out, investigated, and dealt with when enough people complain about them. One complaint may be enough to get the ball rolling if the accusation is serious enough, but usually, regulators and law enforcement want to see a pattern of bad behavior before deciding to investigate. That means it is up to you to say something if you come across a situation that doesn’t feel or sound right. Remember, debt collectors have to give you the right to verify a debt is legitimate. If you’re unsure, do not make any payments until you have been provided with that information.
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