Help with debt collectors is possible through a number of different options. You no longer have to feel embarassed or frightened by the threatening letters and phone calls that can make being in debt feel like a never-ending nighmare. This is one situation that you can wake up from with the proper help.
Legitimate Debts
Assuming the debts are legitimate, you should generally pay any debt that you have incurred if you are reasonably able to do so. It’s just the right thing to do.
Sometimes it can be hard to repay debt, especially when you have encountered unexpected expenses that have put a crimp in your already thin budget. It takes a disciplined commitment to budgeting to prepare for unexpected expenses, since you know they will occur. You just don’t know when they will occur or how expensive they will be.
Dealing with debts that have gone to collections is still possible. If you still have some debts that are with the original creditors, you can consolidate your payments to credit cards and debt collectors into one payment. A loan is probably not possible due to the damage serious delinquencies and collections can cause to credit scores. Still, credit counseling organizations may be able to get you back on track by consolidating those payments on a debt management program.
Credit counselors are trained to evaluate your debts to see what options you have to resolve the situation. For example, they know that some really old debts may be uncollectable due to the statute of limitations expiring. Even if you do not need to enroll in their program, you may still receive debt management tips for eliminating debt on your own.
There are also legal options that may be advantageous or even necessary in certain situations. Sometimes hiring a bankruptcy lawyer can provide a stay from legal action while you get your affairs in order. Bankruptcy filings can be used to delay or prevent creditors from pursuing debt collection judgments.
When Debt Collectors Misbehave
You can get help when debt collectors violate your rights. You may not know that you are protected from certain actions by federal legislation known as the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). This law protects you from harassment and illegal actions that debt collectors frequently engage in while they try to intimidate you into repaying that debt.
Some law firms have recently become experts in protecting your rights under FDCPA. If enough evidence suggests that a creditor has crossed the line, an attorney may help you in filing a debt collection lawsuit to protect you. Even if you owe the debt, it gives a debt collector zero right to threaten or harass you.
Debtors Unite is dedicated to provide you with the tips and information to deal with debt collectors and any other unruly firms that try to take advantage of you. Our debt help community is one of the faster growing sources of information available. Find out how we can help you deal with debt and bounce back from financial distress.
Long is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Industrial Relations. He subsequently received his Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University. His Certificate in Financial Planning was issued by Florida State University.
Long has achieved the Accredited Credit Counselor and Accredited Financial Counselor certifications through the Association for Financial Counseling, Planning and Education. Long originally achieved the Certified Credit Counselor designation through the National Institute for Financial Education.
In addition to years of nonprofit leadership, Long has been an innovator in the field of volunteer tax return preparation programs. He assists volunteer associations and nonprofit organizations who seek to integrate credit counseling and asset-building programs with free personal income tax preparation. His approach to using free credit reports as both an incentive and a screening tool for placement into asset-building programs has been shared with members of the National Community Tax Coalition, the EITC-Carolinas Initiative of MDC, Inc. and nonprofit groups across the Carolinas.
Long assists members of our armed forces in the Carolinas, Iowa, Rhode Island, Georgia and Germany with financial readiness. Please support our Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and Sailors!
Favorite quote:
"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."
Thomas Jefferson
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