[Yashcheritsiy]

Send the collection agency a written or typed letter (make sure to make copies) asking them to provide validation of the debt, and instructing them not to contact you in any way until they do. Under the FDCPA, you can sue them for $1000 a pop for each incident of them contacting or otherwise harassing you between the time that you sent the letter and the time that they provided said verification (be sure to send the letter by registered mail, so there is a record of them signing to receive it, with the date/time).

My wife and I were getting dinged about some medical bills that some collection agency said we owed. I sent the letter, and they called a few days later. We won the case, got $1000, and the lawyer got $3500 (go figure). Haven’t heard from the collection agency since.

[chesley]

Thanks.

Next time I’ll try that. I’m due another attempt within the next 6 months, if they rn true to form.

[justlurking]

My wife and I were getting dinged about some medical bills that some collection agency said we owed. I sent the letter, and they called a few days later. We won the case, got $1000, and the lawyer got $3500 (go figure). Haven’t heard from the collection agency since.

That's interesting. I didn't think the FCPA didn't apply unless you were actually the person that owed the debt. That's why I cited the harassment statutes.

I'll keep that in mind if it happens again.