Safeguard Your Rights As A
Consumer
A lot of people run into difficulties
with corporations, credit bureaus, and collection agencies because they
forget to take a few simple steps that would have helped them solve the
problem more quickly and easily. Here are some tips that can help you
safeguard your rights as a consumer:
1) Get It In Writing: If a salesperson tells you about a
fabulous offer or a collection agency offers an incredible settlement
on your debt, don't proceed with your end of the agreement until you have
their offer in writing. If an offer or agreement isn't put into writing, the
terms can be changed and you won't have any documentation to back you up in a
dispute. If you are involved in a dispute with a company, it is in
your best interest to make sure all communication with that company is
conducted in writing.
2) Use Certified Mail: If you are in dispute with a
company or are contacted by a collection agency, all of your correspondence to
them should be through certified mail with return receipt. This way, you have
proof that your dispute letter or request for debt verification was
received. Although, if you send these kinds of letters by regular mail,
your rights under many consumer protection laws are still protected. However, it
will be your word against theirs if they claim not to have received
something you sent unless you have a certified mail
receipt.
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3) Save All Of Your Records: Whenever you
start a new account, make a purchase, make a payment, receive a billing
statement, receive a letter or call from a collection agency, etc., you
should keep good records. It is a good idea to keep a file on each company
you deal with. The more documentation you have, the easier it will be to
resolve any disputes that could arise. At the end of a loan, lease, or
contract, it is a good idea to get written confirmation from the company
that you satisfied the agreement and to save it in your records. It is not
that unimaginable that a company could come after you for an obligation
you satisfied two or three years ago. If you have the proof of payment,
you won't have to pay twice or have your credit damaged because of their
accounting errors. |
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4) Debt Collection Strategy:
Tell debt collectors that you will only communicate with them in writing. Give
them as little information as possible. If you find yourself on the phone with
an obnoxious debt collector or one that is pumping you for information, just
hang up. There are no laws against hanging up on debt collectors.
5) Contracts: If the contract says one thing and the
salesperson says another, believe the contract. There are no exceptions to this
rule. If the salesperson tries to keep you from reading the contract, refuse the
offer and walk out.
*The
information on this page is not intended as legal advice.
