20/20 Debt collection special on ABC

[CindyLou]

Did anyone see the 20/20 insider review on debt collection on ABC tonight? Unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are playing voicemails from debt collectors violating the laws. WOW. I can't believe they do that crap

[lrprn]

(Cindy, I deleted your duplicate post so all the replies will be here in one thread.)

Darn it! I would have liked to see this but didn't know it was on. I can only imagine what was aired. Collectors that deliberately break the law to strongarm people too poor to pay are scum, true bottom feeders of the worst sort.

[CindyLou]

oops, my bad. thought i hadn't posted the first one.

[Bobby'sGirl]

I think it is a repeat of a January show.

This is the companion website for the show
ABC News: Debt Collector Do's and Don'ts

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/BrianRoss/story?id=2808750&page=1

Made me glad to see the media is talking about this at least. When my mother-in-law died I got several calls looking for my husband (also deceased!) and the collector implied that the surviving family members were responsible for old debts from a decade ago. Current bills owed should come out of any estate funds of course but if not enough to cover debt, sorry, nada!! She left just enough to bury her and cover a few med bills.

Here is a useful link to statute of limitations by state and when in doubt make the lawyers settling the estate earn their fees!!!
Statutes of limitation for delinquent debt

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/cc/20040116b2.asp#ny

[Granny]

It was a repeat. I was again disappointed in the segment because I think they should have taken it a step further to provide information on what is legal and how to handle these ogres. They should have visited the sticky's here and provided the info that is posted here in the forums so the uninformed could be empowered.

[Minnymouth]

Yes, I saw this show too.......

They showed a lot about how collectors harrass, etc but not enough information for the consumer to be AWARE that this type of harrassment is illegal also...... and what to DO if it happens to them......

I too would have liked to seen the show go into more detail on how to handle these collectors. Would have helped consumers much better.....

Minny