I Already Paid This Debt But a Collector Says I Still Owe It. Here’s What to Do Right Now.
A collector is demanding money on a debt you already paid. Federal law bars collecting a paid debt, and here’s how to prove it and make them stop.
collection agency
My HOA Is Foreclosing on My Home. Here’s What to Do Right Now.
An HOA can foreclose over a few hundred dollars in dues — in many states without a judge. Here’s how to find out where you stand and how to stop the sale.
A Debt Collector Threatened to Have Me Arrested
A debt collector just threatened to arrest you. Here’s the legal truth: they can’t. I’ll show you exactly what the law says and what to do in the next 5 minutes.
I’m on Social Security and a Debt Collector Is Threatening Me. Here’s What to Do Right Now.
A debt collector is threatening your Social Security check. Federal law says more than they want you to know — and the threat itself may be illegal.
Virginia’s New Medical Debt Protection Act Just Passed — Here’s What It Means If You Owe a Hospital Bill
Virginia’s Medical Debt Protection Act caps interest at 3%, bans arrest and foreclosure, and gives you 120 days before collection action. But putting a hospital bill on a credit card erases every protection. Here’s what the law means for you.
Debt Collector Says They Can’t Negotiate — Is That True?
When a debt collector says they can’t negotiate a lower payment, they may be telling the truth — or they may not have the authority their client gave them. Here’s how to tell the difference and what options you still have.
Bankruptcy and IRS Debt: What It Means for You
Quick Answer: Bankruptcy can discharge certain types of debt, but IRS tax debt typically survives bankruptcy unless it meets specific age and filing requirements. Debtors facing collection should respond to court summons to avoid default judgments, and can negotiate directly with agencies without requiring legal representation.Q: What happens if you don’t file bankruptcy but still …
Rapid Fire Answers: Levy, Attorney, Bankruptcy
Quick Answer: Collection agencies cannot levy accounts where the debtor isn’t a signer, lawyers can still pursue collections despite partial payments, and bankruptcy filers should consult their attorney before returning assets. Lawsuit defendants must respond timely to avoid default regardless of settlement attempts.Sometimes I get reader questions that don’t have enough information for a big …
Pay School Directly: When It Helps and Hurts
Quick Answer: Students cannot bypass collection agencies when schools have assigned debts to third-party collectors, as contracts typically require all payments go through the assigned agency. The debtor should pay the collection agency using traceable methods and request a detailed bill to verify the balance is accurate before making payments.Question:Dear Steve,I graduated from a university …
Debt Collectors: When They Help and When They Hurt
Quick Answer: Debt collectors can help by working with customers to avoid costly repossessions, which automatically cost lenders around $4,000. An auto finance collector’s strategy focuses on problem-solving through payment modifications rather than vehicle seizure, since repossession makes debt collection even more difficult.An Account From a Real-Life CollectorI arrive at work with a long list …
