We've been receiving several calls this week from consumers who are being harassed by debt collectors. It would be one thing if these consumers owed someone money, but these consumers have no outstanding debt that they know of and are still being asked to pay and give sensitive information out over the phone. This scenario is particularly troublesome because it opens the door for the possibility of people stealing phone numbers in the hopes of posing as debt collectors in order to steal identities. Just so that you know how to protect yourself, here's a few tips on dealing with debt collectors...

1) If you are contacted by someone who says they are collecting a debt, they have to send you written proof within 5 days.
2) Never ever give them your personal information such as bank account numbers, social security numbers, date of birth, etc. If they are a true debt collector, the essential information for them to do their job will already be provided.
3) Debt collectors cannot threaten you with violence, profanity, imprisonment, a lawsuit or misrepresent themselves as an attorney

If a debt collector violates any terms of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you should contact the Attorney General's office, the Federal Trade Commission and BBB.