My hero, Dave Ramsey, tells of abusive practices and the violation of Federal law incorporated by debt collectors – particularly credit card debt collectors. Most people do not know that they have rights guaranteed to them by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and debt collectors knowingly and habitually break these laws in order to frighten them into paying. IT IS NOT AGAINST THE LAW TO OWE MONEY! Do not allow yourself to be lied to (example: “You’re going to go to jail if you don’t pay this” is one of their favorites!) or treated without the dignity you deserve. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE FDCPA: Collectors can NOT call you before 8 am or after 9 pm Collectors can NOT threaten to have you arrested or charged with a crime if you dont pay Collectors can NOT continue to call after you have indicated you want them to stop (record your conversation with them, tell them you ARE recording it, write the date and time down in a journal, and follow up with a certified letter stating they may no longer call.) Collectors can NOT call friends, family members or colleagues repeatedly in order to get you to pay (they may call your acquaintances ONCE in order to track you down and may NOT mention that you owe money or give ANY information that would lead someone to believe that they are attempting to collect a debt.) For more information on your rights under the FDCPA, please visit my website at www.myarrp.com (click on the “Help With Credit” link at the top.) To the scum …

Solomon