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.
