Is it Legel for collector to contact u by your cell phone number

[toby]

hello everyone
I owned the Capital One Card $500. I haven't made any payment for 6 months. Recently, there is 1800 number just keep contact me about the debt that I haven't pay. But the bad thing is they contact by my cell phone number. I think I listed my cell phone number in the credit card application when I applied. That's why they just keep calling me. Is there anyway that I can prevent them from contacting me through my cell phone number?

[BassBoy]

Simply tell them that they may only contact you at your home phone number from now on.

[CPO]

Well, unfortunately my experience so far has been different from many on this board. I have asked my creditors to stop calling me at work many times. I have sent 9 certified (return receipt) ceased & desist letters to various creditors. That can get expensive and time consuming when they are completely ignored.

It appears to be illegal to constantly call one after you have asked them not to do so in writing. But then again, speeding is illegal too...

Apparently, bill collectors don't care much about the law...which I think most have already read about.

Unfortunately, for me, not one has ceased to call me at work. I get dozens of calls at home too, but they are screened by my answering machine so I really don't care.

So far, the only thing that has even remotely worked for me is ensuring that I tell the caller that the call is being recorded...they don't seem to want to talk much after that...even when they claim the call is recorded on their end...

But, they still call.

So, my advice to you is never give that number out....but, seems the cat is out of the bag.

Perhaps you could get the number changed?

Sorry I could not be of more help on your plight.

This has only been my experience.

P.S. NCO Collections (currently being sued by the PA Attorney General) Nationwide Credit and HSBC Collections appear to be the worst. They will call you any day, any time of day and could care less what you have to say.
Just a heads up....

Good luck.

[HHM]

Get in touch with a consumer attorney and file suit. These are typically fee shifting cases, meaning, the attorney usually takes these cases on a cost basis (i.e. you pay the filing fee and service fee, typically less than $300) and if you win, your attorney fees are paid by the collection agency.

[CPO]

HHM,

Thanks for that info.

Unfortunately, any cash on hand goes to paying my most important bills...mortgage, utilities etc. and I cannot spare what I have until my Chapter 7 is filed and the attorney paid. That's why I'm in this position in the first place.

So, I simply maintain accurate records, recordings and documents and will seek legal advice later this year after filing...

I'm simply revealing the reality of my situation...in that persistent collectors with no regard for the law will make life hard on you.

They count on being able to take advantage of your situation.

Running to the court house may not be available for many, especially in the immediate time frame...

I assume toby is looking for a way of dealing with these folks NOW.

That can be difficult unless he has the cash and evidence to sustain a suit against well funded collectors, assuming they refiuse to obey legal statute.

Just a cursory review of the NCO vs PA Attorney General case shows these collectors will lie, create false paper trails, alter recordings and engage in a whole host of illegal activities to gain an advantage.

Perhaps suing some of these "businesses" is not as easy as it may seem.

I guess you may just have to "gut up" and take some harassment until your in a better position to fight.

Just a thought.

Regards.

[greengoddess]

think of it as a blessing

Since you can screen the calls and not pick up (thus, not using any of your minutes!)

[Granny]

I'm sure they don't always call from the same number. So be sure to save each of the numbers they call you from so you can recognize the who is calling, such as Cap One 1, Cap One 2, etc. That way after a few calls, you will know to just ignore the call or turn off the ringer for that call.