Lots More Information

Related HowStuffWorks Articles

• How Dealing with Debt Collectors Works
• How Debt Works
• How Debt Consolidation Works
• How Credit Scores Work
• How Credit Reports Work
• How Credit Reporting Agencies Work
• What is the one thing that will improve your credit score the most?

More Great Links

• Privacy Rights Clearinghouse/Debt Collection Practices
• The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
• Brief Overview of the FDCPA from the Federal Trade Commission
• https://www.debthelp.com/kc/151-debt-validation-pay-only-you-must.html
• Credit Info Center

Sources

• Chan, Sewell. "An Outcry Rises as Debt Collectors Play Rough." The New York Times. July 5, 2006. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/05/nyregion/05credit.html
• "Consumer Debt Statistics." Money-Zine.com. http://www.money-zine.com/Financial-Planning/Debt-Consolidation/Consumer-Debt-Statistics/
• "Dealing with Debt Collectors FAQ." Nolo. http://www.nolo.com/article.cfm/objectId/FBFB935E-DB52-48CB-
  A64E2502F91AE24B/213/208/155/FAQ/
• "Debt Collection Guide." New York City Department of Consumer Affairs. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dca/downloads/pdf/Debt.pdf
• "Debt Collection Practices: When Hardball Tactics Go Too Far." Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs27-debtcoll.htm
• "Debt Validation: Pay Only What You Must." DebtHelp.com. April 27, 2007. https://www.debthelp.com/kc/151-debt-validation-pay-only-you-must.html
• "Debt Validation: The ultimate weapon against the collection agencies." Credit Info Center. http://www.creditinfocenter.com/rebuild/debt_validation.shtml
• Haley, Jen. "Rogue debt collectors -- how to fight them." CNN. Feb. 29, 2008. http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/personal/02/29/rogue.debt.collectors/index.html
• "Fair Debt Collection." Federal Trade Commission. March 1999. http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre18.shtm
• The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Federal Trade Commission. http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf
• Marshall, J. Christopher. "Office of the U.S. Trustee Launches Civil Enforcement Initiative." http://www.justice.gov/ust/eo/public_affairs/articles/docs/BBJ062002.htm
• Poirier, John. "U.S. Debt Collectors Seek Cellphone, E-mail Access." Reuters. Oct. 10, 2007: http://www.reuters.com/article/governmentFilingsNews/idUSN1026217220071010
• "Taking a Business Customer to Small Claims Court." Nolo. http://www.nolo.com/resource.cfm/catID/2D0B7D14-BE2C-474F-
  84A9B3C92DF1942D/111/277/133/