Got in way over my head with credit cards. Lost my job in February and been on unemployment since. Finally got the money to pay a lawyer and file bankruptcy. Paying the lawyer on Monday. I had to make a call to 2 different credit card companies Friday. The first one was to the sneaky people that called my neighbor and had them to give me a message to call. Surprisingly, that went better than I thought it would. I made it clear that my number was the only one she needed to call. She made it clear that she would do that as long as I answer my phone and don't try to avoid them. I said that was OK, but calling my neighbors is not the right thing to do, even if it was legal. She said not paying your credit card bills and not answering your phone is also not the right thing to do. Can't argue with that. She put me in my place. I talked her into waiting until next week to work something out. She said that was fine. I'll have my lawyer paid by then. The next call was a lot different. I talked to 3 different people. The last man I talked to was not going to accept the excuse of waiting until next week. He flat out said that was not an option. The reason being, I had already told them 4 times this month that I would make a payment next week. I knew that was a lie, because up until now, I had been avoiding all contact. 10 minutes into the conversation, it got completely out of hand. Neither of us were cursing or calling each other names, but our conversation continued to get louder. I'm ashamed of myself for not only having a credit card bill I can't pay, but the fact I lost my temper and screamed back at him. He probably laughed about it later. His first lie was I had told them 4 times this month I would work something out. He then asked me how I was getting money to pay my phone bill and other things. I told him that was none of his business. He said not only was it their business, that if this continues, their lawyer will find the money I owe them. I had to work something out today, right now. By then, I'm not sure what he said in the next minute or so, because both of us were screaming at each other to the point it was hopeless. I said Hold up. If that's the case, I need to give you a number. He asked what the number was in reference to. I told him I'm in the process of filing bankruptcy and the number was to my attorney. He got louder, and wouldn't even let me give him the number. Next lie comes. My filing bankruptcy is NOT an option I have. Laws have been in effect to protect credit card companies against people doing that on anything charged within the last 2 years. I tried to say something again, and now he was screaming and threatening me with everything except taking my birthday away. By this time, I had a headache, I was so mad I was shaking, and I was to the point of saying something I could have went to jail for. So, I hung up on him. Then I called the lawyer. She said I couldn't refer the credit card companies to her until I paid her the total fees. I told her I would have everything ready Monday. I told her what he said about me not being able to file bankruptcy. She said he was just lying and trying to scare me to get me to send some money to them. Once I have the fees paid in full, she would contact the credit card companies and if they do call, I can give them her number. I've learned my lesson for sure now. I never want to go through all of this again. If I wasn't afraid I would have a stroke or heart attack, I would call that man back just so I call him a liar. Not in my best interest or the healthy thing to do to get in another screaming match with that guy. But, I really wanna call this guy back and see how long he will stay on the phone with me and see if I can make him mad.
And what was gained from the screaming match? Nothing at all. If I were in the position of not being able to pay a creditor, and I have been from time to time, I would not even accept their calls. If soneone is in a position to work something out or at least try to work something out then by all means they should do all they can to get some kind of understanding going they can live up to but such screaming matches as you describe are without any merit whatever. They do nobody any good. I say save those screaming matches for the few times they are necessary when dealing with debt collectors. Even there screaming matches should not happen. Nobody gains anything when the situation has deteriorated to that point.
Calling neighbors seems like a violation of the FDCPA if that applies to the bill collector. Not paying her isn't the right thing to do, what she did was illegal. The two actions aren't in the same ballpark no matter how she wishes to play them. What he meant was that if you actually had answered the phone each time they called, you might have agreed to pay four times in the last week. He's probably their go to guy for recalcitrant alleged debtors: "I got one over hear that just don't get the message. Hey Loud Joe, could you yell at him for a few minutes? Thanks." If you really don't have the money, how would that be? And threatening to sue you when there is no intention to sue would seem to be yet another violation of the FDCPA (if it applies). Some people enjoy doing that, Dumb Bob thinks they might gravitate to the collection business. Unless you enjoy going back and forth with them, you probably aren't served well by playing their silly games. So he's giving you legal advice? Does this guy work for the original creditor? Because if he's doesn't and is under the FDCPA, he sure needs a refresher course in proper industry practice. Have you considered discussing this situation with a consumer rights attorney? Sometimes a BK attorney focuses laser like on that one issue and will leave these other things to another lawyer. Of course keep your BK lawyer informed about whatever you are doing relevant to this situation. In the least, it would be nice if you'd take the time to inform the state and federal agencies which attempt to regulate debt collecting as well as your representatives. The current climate seems ripe for reforms that might mean future victims are fewer in number. Good luck.
