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Columns: Driving for Dollars
Terry Jackson   Expert: Terry Jackson
Driving for Dollars
Complain to state agency to end calls
Driving for Dollars

Laws prohibit abusive collector tactics
 

Dear Terry,
My future wife and I had purchased a truck in May 2005. We had to do a voluntary repossession in August 2006. This happened after we spoke to the finance company about trying to lower our payments by $100 per month.

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We met with the repo man to give him the truck. Then, we did not hear anything until we received a letter stating that they had the truck. In January 2007, they called us and said we needed to pay $1,153.84.

I contacted them and requested documentation. The person I spoke to said, "I do not have to send you any documentation. You had better be ready to live in a tent because I am going to take you for everything."

I am unemployed at this time and was at that time as well. Also, I had wanted documentation of the loan because they stated they sold the truck for $6,800 and change. They claimed to have sent many letters that my future wife and I have never received.

Also they stated, "Your job had better be paying you good money because we are coming after you for it." They've said this before when I've spoken to them and they never took any action.
-- Tom

Dear Tom,
It sounds like you're dealing with an abusive collection agency. They have the right to call and demand payment, but not to speak in such an abusive manner. There are federal and state laws against such behavior. Call your state's consumer protection agency to see how you can make such calls stop.

Here are this week's reader questions:
Bad economy sinking luxury-car values
How can I stop a collector's abuse?
Can I return a lease within three days?
Will paying off my loan help me?
Bankrate.com's corrections policy -- Posted: May 16, 2008
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