Battling with debt collectors or suffering from their harassment is bad enough when a third-party attempt to collect a legitimate debt. Going round-and-round over a debt that belongs to someone else could be a nightmare. Texas residents receiving collection notices for debt that isn’t theirs could address the situation through established legal remedies.
Examining the debt and taking action
Determining whether the collection agency is in error seems like the best first step. Although someone might not remember or recognize an obligation, it might be legitimate. Perhaps someone signed onto a 12-month gym membership and stopped paying, moved on, and forgot about the accumulated dues.
If a debtor is unsure whether the obligation is his or hers, the debtor might ask the creditor for proof. Doing so involves sending a debt validation letter. The response should present definitive evidence the creditor is seeking payment from the right person.
Imagine receiving a document that presents a forged signature. Or, the person’s middle name might be different, establishing confusion about who owes what debt.
Determining a debt situation
Some may assume a debt is theirs without ever checking things out. If anything appears unfamiliar or otherwise odd, performing an investigation might be advisable. At the very least, doing so may set a course for exploring collection alternatives.
Ordering a free copy of one’s creditor report allows someone to review the record. Upon discovering the false information, a person could take legal steps to correct the record.
A creditor may continue to harass someone over debts the person does not owe. Such actions could get a creditor into legal trouble, and the victim may need to assert his or her rights.