How To Deal With A Debt Collector Part Two

If a bill collector is requesting that you pay a debt that you think you do not owe, or more than you owe, you have the ability to dispute the debt in writing. The legal terms for doing this are “debt validation” or “debt verification.” Within the first five days of contacting you, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act requires that bill collectors notify you of your right to validate the debt. You need to ask for verification within thirty days of when you are first told about the debt. Always send your request by certified mail.

Cody City Attempts To Collect

In the city of Cody, Wyoming this year, 219 utility accounts were sent out to collection agencies. Only four of the bills were from property owners. Some city council members are suggesting that the city council consider holding property owners responsible for utility costs that their renters left unpaid. A policy like that could have added $180,000 to the city budget during the past five years, and furthermore, other utility users are subsidizing those that don’t pay their bills.

Massachusetts Strengthens Rules For Small Claims Collection Lawsuits

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court released last week that it has altered some of the rules governing the use of small claims courts. The Court said that the changes were created specifically to address the number of debt collection cases that are filed in small claims courts.