A collection agency has contacted me concerning a past due debt with citibank. The account is in my name. My wife had a card, but she was only on the account as an authorized use. Her information such as SS # was never given. Yesterday her secretary at work sends her an alarming e-mail saying that a gentleman from a collection agency called work requesting to speak with her. Is this legal for the agency to contact her at work? Thank you!
I would guess that since she is not responsible for the debt it would not be proper to contact her at all, but leeway has been given regarding contacting spouses of debtors
What about calling parents or a referral that was on the original application? A CA called my mom recently and I haven't lived there in over 14 years. And then they contacted a friend that I put on the original application years ago. Neither have anything to do with the debt.
It is not illegal for the CA to contact your wife at her place of work, unless you expressly communicate NOT to contact you at work. A CA can also "speak" to a spouse trying to locate, or make contact with the primary name on the account. If the collection agency has already contacted you, then they should not be trying to reach your wife, especially at work. You will have to send a letter stating not to contact you, or anyone else other than in written form.
