More recordings show pattern of debt collectors making abusive calls | 10connects.com | Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater I have no sympathy for people who voluntarily choose to default on their bills. But people who are forced to postpone payments because of medical conditions, car wrecks, or whatever else life throws at you, shouldn't have to deal with debt collectors making physical threats and hurtling insults. To be fair, I'm paying off one final bill with a debt collector who has been very reasonable to work with. I still have all my ducks in a row and everything in writing, but thus far they've been hassle-free as I resolve a legit debt that's my own dumb fault. IMHO, debt collection law is one of the easiest for general consumers to grasp. The more people we can educate on their rights, the faster we can snuff out oppressive debt collection.
I certainly agree with that but even if every person from middle schools on up were fully informed about their rights that in and of itself would not even come close to resolving their problems. It is something like the plight of the world's whales. I know that the world population of whales is in jeopardy of disappearing from the oceans and I might sympathize with their plight but if I am not willing to donate money and time to help save them then the fact that I am educated about their plight is of no help to the whales. It is the same with people's rights. Knowing about one's rights is only the first step. The most important step is educating them about how to defend those rights if and when they are violated. If they don't also know step by step how to go to court and vigorously defend those rights then knowing about them is of no value whatever.
And ANOTHER one: Ripoffs: Bally Sends Fake Past Due Bills To Ex-Members To Get Them To Rejoin Bally Total Fitness is sending out fake "past due" notices that contain the "This is an attempt to collect a debt" language. The catch? They're sending them to accounts closed in good standing. As in, you were previously a Bally customer but have since decided to close your membership, in full compliance with the terms of your agreement, and have no outstanding balance. Apparently "past due" can mean "although not necessarily due since you've canceled your membership, this amount WOULD be due had you decided to remain a member". What's disgusting is that they probably don't count as a debt collector, as they're at worst the OC, and thus the terms of the FDCPA don't apply. Validation? Useless.
