{"id":20659,"date":"2024-07-08T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-08T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/?p=20659"},"modified":"2024-07-08T02:01:34","modified_gmt":"2024-07-08T08:01:34","slug":"debt-collection-scams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/credit-101\/debt-collection-scams.html","title":{"rendered":"Debt collection scams: How to detect and stop them"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"570\" height=\"190\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/debt-collection-scams-hero-1500x500-1.jpg\" alt=\"A man learns about debt collection scams on his laptop\" class=\"wp-image-20660\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, act as legal, financial or credit advice. <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/disclaimer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>See Lexington Law\u2019s editorial disclosure for more information.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Debt collection scams are common and come in many forms. In 2023, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ic3.gov\/Media\/PDF\/AnnualReport\/2023_IC3Report.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">FBI<\/a> reported that $394 million dollars were stolen by criminals pretending to be government agencies.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The best way to protect your hard-earned funds from scammers is to learn the telltale signs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this guide, we\u2019ll explore several common scams and share strategies for protecting your funds. We\u2019ll also discuss Lexington Law Firm\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/credit-snapshot\/pi\">credit snapshot<\/a> tool, which can help you learn which debts you genuinely owe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Key Takeaways:<\/strong><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Congress created The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) in 1977 to prevent aggressive debt-collection practices.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A collections agency is likely legitimate if it can provide its name, number and mailing address.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You can stop debt collection scams by declining to share sensitive information over the phone, via email, and by confirming the debt actually belongs to you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-does-a-debt-collection-scam-look-like\"><strong>What does a debt collection scam look like?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Debt collection scams can be very subtle. You might abruptly receive a text or a phone call from someone who claims to represent a collections agency or even a government institution. The collector might rapidly hurl information at you with the intent to disorient and deceive.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Scams can also look like someone \u201cconfirming\u201d sensitive information like your banking account details and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/negative-items\/4-things-identity-thieves-can-do-with-your-social-security-number.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Social Security number<\/a>. It\u2019s best to exercise caution and patience here; try not to let a caller pressure you into acting or giving out personal information before you\u2019ve verified their identity.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Bottom line: <\/strong>Don\u2019t share your personal or financial information when you receive a call, as scammers can use these details to steal your identity or convince you to send them money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-do-i-know-if-a-collection-notice-is-real\"><strong>How do I know if a collection notice is real?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When you\u2019re first contacted about a debt, make sure that you ask the caller to verify the debt by sending a written <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/credit-repair\/debt-validation.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">debt validation letter<\/a>. By law, debt collectors must send you information about how much you owe and who the original creditor for the debt was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1501\" height=\"1165\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/what-should-a-debt-validation-letter-include.png\" alt=\"What should a debt validation letter include?\" class=\"wp-image-20663\" style=\"object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/what-should-a-debt-validation-letter-include.png 1501w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/what-should-a-debt-validation-letter-include-1100x854.png 1100w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/what-should-a-debt-validation-letter-include-768x596.png 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 767px) 600px, calc(100vw - 35px)\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you\u2019ve received the letter, you can verify that the debt legitimately belongs to you, following up with the original creditor if necessary. If the debt collector refuses to provide debt validation, it\u2019s likely that they are not authorized to collect the debt \u2014 or the debt never existed in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Bottom line: <\/strong>The law requires debt collectors to provide a validation letter for any legitimate debt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3 tips to stop debt collection scams<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Debt collection scams can take on many forms, but vigilance plays a big role in reducing their impact. If you suspect that a scam is at play, consider the following advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1501\" height=\"1776\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/how-to-make-sure-a-debt-collector-is-legit.png\" alt=\"How to make sure a debt collector is legit\" class=\"wp-image-20662\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/how-to-make-sure-a-debt-collector-is-legit.png 1501w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/how-to-make-sure-a-debt-collector-is-legit-1100x1302.png 1100w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/how-to-make-sure-a-debt-collector-is-legit-768x909.png 768w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/how-to-make-sure-a-debt-collector-is-legit-1298x1536.png 1298w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 767px) 600px, calc(100vw - 35px)\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3>1. Get additional details from the collector<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When thinking about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/finance\/how-to-deal-with-debt-collectors.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">how to deal with debt collectors<\/a>, asking for additional details can help you determine an agent\u2019s legitimacy. Remember to ask the collector you\u2019re speaking with for the following information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>The collector\u2019s name<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The agency they claim to work for<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Said agency\u2019s website<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The address where they\u2019re located<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The collector\u2019s email address and their agency\u2019s email<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Some callers also identify themselves as members of law enforcement or attorneys. In those cases, ask for names, badge numbers, agencies or law firms. If a caller indicates that a lawsuit has been filed against you, ask for the court where the suit was filed as well as the case number.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In most cases, scammers will be unwilling or unable to provide all of this information. If you do get specific information, you can follow up by calling creditors or law enforcement directly to verify the claims.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Knowing the status of your collections account is another powerful strategy, especially if your bank or lender has never told you that your debt has gone to collections to begin with. Check your credit report or contact your bank to see if you owe any money to collections agencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Bottom line:<\/strong> Press the collector for specific details, like their name and the collection agency they work for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>2. Watch out for threatening behavior<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes, scam debt collectors will pressure you to pay quickly over the phone. Often, they\u2019ll use serious claims to motivate you to act quickly \u2014 for instance, they\u2019ll tell you that you have a warrant for your arrest, or you will serve jail time if you don\u2019t pay immediately.<br><br>Scammers may also tell you that others in your family may suffer consequences, that you will lose your job or that your debt amount will skyrocket if you don\u2019t provide payment over the phone. Debt collectors cannot send you to jail or make threats for non-payment.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"740\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/02-debt-collectors-cannot-threaten-you.png\" alt=\"Federal laws that can help protect you from debt collection scams\" class=\"wp-image-20665\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/02-debt-collectors-cannot-threaten-you.png 1500w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/02-debt-collectors-cannot-threaten-you-1100x543.png 1100w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/02-debt-collectors-cannot-threaten-you-768x379.png 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 767px) 600px, calc(100vw - 35px)\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether the debt collector is legitimate or not, threatening behavior is never permitted. Federal law specifically governs how debt collectors must behave, so you have recourse regardless of whether the debt is legitimate. If you believe the debt collector is a scammer, simply stop engaging until you receive debt validation. On the other hand, if the debt collector is legitimate but behaving in a threatening way, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Bottom<\/strong> line: Debt collectors are forbidden by law to threaten you, and extreme claims about jail time or immediate need for payment are often indications of a scammer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>3. Block or ignore repeated calls<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re receiving numerous debt collection scam calls, consider blocking or ignoring these calls. Here are a few tips for blocking spam calls:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Watch out for \u201cspoofed\u201d numbers. <\/strong>The number a scammer calls from rarely belongs to them \u2014 instead, they temporarily use someone else\u2019s number. Be wary of unfamiliar numbers that start with the same six digits as your own.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Some carriers and phones offer spam-blocking software<\/strong>. Call your cellphone carrier and ask if they have any features for blocking spam calls or search your phone\u2019s app store for highly rated apps that can block spam calls.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Only accept calls from known numbers.<\/strong> Many phones allow you to only accept calls from trusted contacts, sending all other callers to voicemail. This feature can be helpful, as many scammers won\u2019t leave voicemails or will leave robotic voicemails that can simply be discarded.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you do need to accept calls from unfamiliar numbers \u2014 for instance, because you\u2019re waiting for an important phone call \u2014 make sure that you\u2019re careful when answering the phone.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If a caller identifies themselves as a debt collector, keep it short. If you don\u2019t have any outstanding debts, simply say, \u201cThis debt does not belong to me,\u201d and hang up. If you know that you have legitimate debt, ask for a validation letter and contact information, then end the call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Bottom line: <\/strong>If possible, ignore calls from unfamiliar numbers or install spam call-blocking software on your phone. If you do accept a call from someone claiming to be a debt collector, keep the conversation short.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Know your debt collection rights<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/finance\/debt-collection-laws.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)<\/a> is a federal law that outlines exactly what debt collectors can and cannot do. Understanding <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/finance\/debt-collection-laws.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">debt collection laws<\/a> offers two benefits: First, you can identify callers who violate these practices as possible scammers. Second, you can file a complaint against a legitimate collector who violates the law.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Watch out for any of the following behaviors, which are prohibited by federal law and could indicate a scam debt collection call:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Calls outside of the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Uses profane or inappropriate language<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Makes false claims about your debt<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Refuses to identify themselves or their company<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Claims that you will pay penalties or face punishment for not paying immediately<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fails to provide debt validation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Most legitimate collection agencies follow the FDCPA guidelines when contacting people, so be wary when talking to anyone who is aggressive or unwilling to provide additional details.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Bottom line:<\/strong> If you\u2019re dealing with a scammer, they likely won\u2019t honor federal laws about debt collection \u2014 so make sure you know your rights and avoid scams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Keep an eye on your credit reports<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For your best chance of avoiding scammers, make it a habit to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/credit-101\/why-you-should-check-all-3-of-your-credit-reports.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">check your credit reports<\/a> at least once a year and more often if you\u2019re actively rebuilding your credit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By reviewing your reports regularly, you\u2019ll know whether you have any outstanding debts \u2014 so if a debt collector calls, you\u2019ll be ready to ask for validation. Additionally, checking your credit reports frequently enables you to spot any fraudulent or inaccurate accounts listed on your reports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you\u2019re armed with knowledge about your credit, collection laws and common tactics used in scams, you\u2019ll be prepared to stop debt collection calls with ease. Just remember to:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Ask for debt validation and contact information<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid providing personal information on the phone&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Watch out for red flags like threatening behavior&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Bottom line: <\/strong>Staying on top of your credit reports will help you avoid scams and know when you have legitimate debts to pay.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What to do if you\u2019re the victim of a debt collection scam?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Today\u2019s scammers can be quite convincing, so many people fall victim to fake debt collection calls by providing personal information, financial information or even payment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019ve been the victim of a scam, act quickly by taking the following steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Freeze your credit: <\/strong>Contact the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/education\/three-credit-bureaus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">three credit bureaus<\/a> and ask them to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/education\/how-to-freeze-your-credit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">freeze your credit<\/a> immediately \u2014 that way, no one can open a new line of credit in your name.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Watch out for identity theft: <\/strong>File a report with the <a href=\"https:\/\/reportfraud.ftc.gov\/#\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Federal Trade Commission<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.identitytheft.gov\/#\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">IdentityTheft.gov<\/a>.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Contact your bank and credit card providers: <\/strong>Get new credit cards and change your bank account information if it has been compromised.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You should also change account passwords for your email and financial accounts. Finally, consider contacting local law enforcement to report the scam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1501\" height=\"1165\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/what-to-do-if-you-experience-a-debt-collection-scam.png\" alt=\"What to do if you experience a debt collection scam?\" class=\"wp-image-20664\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/what-to-do-if-you-experience-a-debt-collection-scam.png 1501w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/what-to-do-if-you-experience-a-debt-collection-scam-1100x854.png 1100w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/what-to-do-if-you-experience-a-debt-collection-scam-768x596.png 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 767px) 600px, calc(100vw - 35px)\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Having your identity stolen can lead to fraudulently opened accounts, so you\u2019ll want to ensure that your credit reports do not contain any misleading information. The work of a scammer could damage your reputation, so make sure you stay vigilant about monitoring your credit if your information is stolen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Often, it can be helpful to work with a credit repair company to review your reports and file disputes after a scam. Consider reaching out to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/our-services\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">credit repair consultants at Lexington Law Firm<\/a>, who specialize in credit repair and communicate with the bureaus to ensure your information is accurately reported.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Manage your debt with Lexington Law Firm<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s much harder for scammers to take advantage of you if you know what you owe. Lexington Law Firm offers many different <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/our-services\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">services<\/a> for credit monitoring and debt repair. If you unfortunately experience <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/credit-repair\/focus-tracks\/identity-theft\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">identity theft<\/a>, our focus tracks can help you develop a recovery plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Note:<\/em><\/strong><em> Articles have only been reviewed by the indicated attorney, not written by them. The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, act as legal, financial or credit advice; instead, it is for general informational purposes only. Use of, and access to, this website or any of the links or resources contained within the site do not create an attorney-client or fiduciary relationship between the reader, user, or browser and website owner, authors, reviewers, contributors, contributing firms, or their respective agents or employers.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, act as legal, financial or credit advice. See Lexington Law\u2019s editorial disclosure [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":63,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v18.1 (Yoast SEO v18.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Debt collection scams: How to detect and stop them<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Debt collection scams occur when bad actors trick people into paying a nonexistent debt. 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