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Cody Said:

Can a collection agency garnish my SSI & Social Security checks over a cell phone?

We Answered:

No, they cannot. Only the government can take your tax returns and SS checks. (unpaid child support, unpaid taxes, fines, student loans, etc.)

Here's the deal. Companies are quick to charge off accounts right around tax time. It's a tax write off. That's beside the point. When the company charges off an account, they sell it to a collection agency to "X" cents on the dollar. That way they make some money towards the debt. The collection agency then harasses you to make their money, a minimum of what they paid and then whatever they can get out of you. Your credit rating for that account will be an R9, the worst rating.

The thing is Collection Agencies work for you. They work to work a settlement on the debt. If you pay them, your credit report will reflect "account settled" and the rating drops to an R4...still bad, but it shows you've made an effort to reconcile the debt.

The problem is that your credit report reflects the last date of activity. Negative things stay on your account for ten years after the last date of activity. (*note years depend on the State) So let's say the account gets charged off in 2007. You don't have the money to pay it, so you keep putting it off. Well, let's say the year is 2016...and you've finally save up the $100 to pay them off. Your account status will show settled, but now you've updated the activity. It will stay on your account for another ten years from 2016...not the remaining one year if you had just done nothing.

Still, an R4 looks better in the long run than an R9. So, get rid of the collection agency and pay the original owner of the account. Like I said before, collection agencies work for you. So, fire them! Get an address (you may have to fake that you are going to send in a payment) and then tell them to "Cease and Desist" from contacting you. Then you send them a "cease and desist" letter. (See link below) Once you do this they cannot contact you again. (*note* this applies to collection agencies ONLY. If it is the original account owner, like Cingular, they can call all they want) If they do contact you again, tell them they just violated the Fair Credit Act and then file a complaint with your State Attorney General. They are fined $100,000 per violation. (Threaten THEM with this when you tell them to cease and desist). So, then you call the original account holder and say, "I'd like to pay this debt." They WILL take your money. Then ask for a proof of payment letter.

If you don't pay the original account holder after you fire the collection agency, the collection agency will sell the account to another collection agency. The cycle will repeat itself. You can keep firing collection agencies and stating cease and desist for ten years.

I've done all the things I've told you about. I know it's a long story, but arm yourself with knowledge. Check out this website: www.budhibbs.com

It will tell you everything you need to know. You can also get a sample cease and desist letter.

Whatever you do, DON'T LET THEM SCARE YOU! Take control of the situation. You are NOT a bad person because you have an accounts collection.

Good Luck!

Suzanne Said:

HELP FRAUD!!!I found out today that someone has been using my social security number to get insurance?

We Answered:

contact your local social security office and alert them - Also you should tell the credit beuras that you want a fraud alert placed on your credit info --- That way if someone does try to open credit in your name the creditors are warned that it could be fraud and are instructed to contact you at a phone # you provide and sometimes they will require you to answer questions only you would know... its more red tape for you to get credit but well worth the peace of mind.... Also, file a police report for your records too,

Yvonne Said:

Can a dentist send me to a collections agency without having my social security number? ?

We Answered:

Yes they can send you to collections.

Tamara Said:

What is considered non photo ID by Delta Air? Will a credit card work, or a health insurance card?

We Answered:

Yes; the CC and health card will be Ok to use.
Happy travels.