Thanks to the internet it’s easier than ever for bill collectors to locate your whereabouts. When you apply for credit or register to vote you are updating your information that collectors will use to find you. Initially a collection agency will review the file they receive from the original creditor. Within this file they will attempt to discover your most recent place of employment or a relative. They will then call your employer and ask to speak with you directly. If you no longer work there… they will inquire of your old co-workers if they know where your new job is. I once witnessed an employer give the State of Mississippi a previous employees whereabouts so they could collect child support. See also all of my articles on Collection Agencies.
**Disclaimer – Debtprison.net does not administer legal or financial advice. The contents of this website are my opinions on collection agencies and how to deal with them. Nothing on this website should be interpreted as legal advice or council. No opinions on this website should be used to replace the advice of your financial advisor or your legal council.
Relatives and Neighbors
A relative can provide an abundance of information to collection agencies. If they aren’t careful, they will volunteer your place of employment, your assets, and perhaps even your current bank. A bill collector would love to get their hands on any of that information. This weekend I observed my father answer his phone to a polite bill collector. The collector was attempting to collect on a debt that belonged to someone my father knew. Being the nice guy he is, Dad simply told them the debtor had no phone and no job.
According to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act it is legal for a debt collector to call your neighbor to try and dig up some information about you. However, they are not allowed to tell them they are attempting to collect on a debt. A collector will use a directory to search for your next door neighbors. They will then call them, if they find a phone number, and ask them if they know where you are. They may just say that they are an old friend trying to locate you for an upcoming high school reunion.
Using a Database to Search for You
If the above method turns up nothing the collection agency will submit your personal information into a database to see what turns up. I’ve even personally used some of the free online database sites to see what information it displays for me. For fun try running a search for your name and state at http://intelius.com. It shows my birth year and month… as well as my relative’s names and previous addresses. Collection agencies use a similar database but will get a better deal on the pricing than you or I. Moving to a new state will result in a new Driver’s License and this change will be documented in the government’s database.
Digging Through Your Credit Report for Information
When you apply for any new credit…. your credit report is updated with the information you provide on the credit application. Also, your credit report will show a bill collector other creditors to whom you are currently making payments. The collection agency will contact these creditors and attempt to get information from them to update your file. The credit report will also indicate your last known employer, the name of your spouse, and any public record information such as judgments or tax liens.
Limiting Your Information
If you have any outstanding defaulted debt you have no business applying for new credit. Applying for new credit will also signal the bill collector that you have enough money to make payments. Hence this may prompt them to pursue legal action to collect the debt. Inform any friends or family not to give any information (of any kind) to anyone over the telephone regarding you or your whereabouts. Lastly, conversations with debt collectors are best held on paper – so write registered letters and don’t answer their phone calls.
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Related Articles
* Will Debt Follow you Abroad?
* Restrictions on Wage Garnishment for Debt Collection.
* The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
* Reasons not to file Bankruptcy or Settle Your Debts
* Can you go to jail for not paying your debts?
* How to settle your debts on your own
