Is there any current laws to stop abuse of credit reporting companies?
349172
You are finding out what I've been trying to warn people about for weeks now.  \n\nNever, ever, pay off an bill that is in collections unless you get IN WRITING that they will remove the negative entry from your record before you pay them a DIME!\n\nNow that they have your money, you no longer have any leverage over them.  Good luck getting them to fix your report.  Remember this....credit reporting agencies only report what the creditor tells them.  They can NOT remove it or change it.  \n\nWhat you will need to do is this.\n\n1) Send a letter to the CRA protesting the report, and tell them exactly what is wrong with it.  If it's paid off try to supply any evidence of it.\n\nThe CRA will contact the creditor to "verify" that the report is legitimate.  Remember they are not investigating anything, they are just verifing with the creditor that the information they have is correct.  \n\nIf the creditor does not change the record, and you have documented evidence that it is wrong, then move on to part 2.\n\n2) Send a "demand for validation" letter to the creditor.  They must supply you with copies of all contracts, bills, receipts, and everything used to calculate what they claim you owe. If they do not produce it, send a copy of this letter with another protest to the CRA to remove the listing.  If they don't do it, you have grounds to sue both the CRA and the creditor.\n\nIf the creditor can not supply proper evidence to prove the listing is accurate, and still will not remove it, you can sue the creditor for violations of the FCRA, and defamation of character.  \n\nRead the links below, contact me if you need more help.
1152757
you from the UK? got info the other day from a company called Nationwide Credit consultants tel:0870 787 1990, call is free. You pay them a fee and can have your history cleared of the last 6 years, and yes it is Legal too so try that. I will.
250402
There are some states that allow you to sign up on a list that blocks anyone from running a credit report on you unless you send the state written permission to do so.  See if your state has such a program.  It wouldn't completely stop you, but it would make it more inconvenient and difficult for you to get one.
303325
Here is the link to the Federal Trade Commission's website. This is the page for info on how to report them and what you can do legally. Good luck.\nhttp://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/credit/index.html
223879
I have heard of no such law, and would be very surprised if one exists.  On the othr hand, a civil creditor never has the right to garnish someone's wages (wages can generally only be garnished for child support or student loans).
480309
Your local consumer credit counseling agency may be able to offer advice and possibly assistance.  \n\nI would try the one that is actually called CCCS rather than one that may advertise as credit counseling.  CCCS is non-profit and offers free advice.
789872
Answers like timdaniels' really bug me.  Quit advertising your company and just answer his question!  \n\nPersonally I do NOT believe debt settlement only "recognized" alternative, and it can actually hurt your credit score.  \n\nI've posted a link that explains the new laws.  If it still looks like the answer for you, talk to an attorney.  Many will give you a free consultation and explain how it will effect you.
495226
Since none of the other answers are seeming to be helpful or answer your question, here goes:\n\nThe law allows you to get one free credit report from each of the major agencies per year.  However, it is not illegal to SELL a credit report (it's not illegal to sell something you can otherwise get for free, hence, bottled water).  So, websites like "freecreditreport.whatever" try to confuse you into paying for it.\n\nTo get your annual free credit report from the major agencies, go to www.annualcreditreport.com\n\nIf you have been denied credit somewhere within the last 30 days or suspect fraud on your credit report, you are entitled to a free credit report as well.  Contact the agencies that were used to deny you credit for this (Equifax, Trans Union, Experian, etc).
1058213
Look up the Federal Consumer Protection Act. Especially the part involving Fair Debt Collection Practices. This act provides for a creditor to pay your attorney's fee if they are found liable of breaking these regulations. Speak with an attorney that handles debtor-creditor issues.
839724
Document each and every phone call.  Get their address and send them something in writing, certified mail with return receipt.\n\nIf it is not yours, and they continue to harass you, you can file compaints with the FTC at www.ftc.gov, or with your state's commerce department.  All collectors are required to be regulated and licensed in any state they do business with, and must adhere to the Fair Debt Collections Practice Act.  You can find lots of stuff on your rights at the FTC website.\n\nAnd did I mention, DOCUMENT EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!  Time, date, who you spoke with (GET NAMES).  They will give fake names, which is actually illegal.  That can be used against them in your complaint when their records don't show any employee by the name you were given.
414252
The previous answer is untrue. \nAs per the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, if you TELL them to cease and desist from calling you, it is usually sufficient. If not, you'll need to put your request in writing, and you're well within your rights to do so. If you owe them money, that's one thing, but they don't have a right to call and harass you. Continued calling after you've advised them to stop constitutes harassment.\nIf you still have problems, even after putting your request in writing, contact the FTC.\nI pray that your financial situation improves, too. :)
1049593
I urge you to look up and browse The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.  It contains the rules creditors must follow in collection efforts.  \n\nAs for coming to your door, the Act prohibits conduct designed primarily to harrass, etc. -- and at least here in NY, knocking on your door for any reason other than a process serving handing you a summons to court strikes me as exactly that.
491556
Call your card company or bank and dispute the charges immediately, let them know the situation, they will take care of it. Also, contact the company that is making the charges and file a complaint with customer service. Finally, make sure to keep tabs on your credit report to make sure that they do not report you because you refused to pay the fraudulent charges. If it is reported to the credit reporting agencies, make sure you dispute it and send them documentation from your credit card company that you disputed the charges on your card and tried to resolve the situation. That way it will not affect your credit rating, and if it does you have proof that you took steps to close the account and collect the fraudulent charges months before. Be careful because the company could attempt to report you at any time in the next seven years.
1078561
I can totally answer this.  I have worked a while in financial commerce positions. Please follow these steps.\n\n1. Get a copy of your credit rating from the 3 major credit reporting agencies. They are require to give you 1 free copy of your credit report each year. OR could buy a copy at a local place near where you live (with identification) and it is about $35.00 for all 3 reports at once.These are listed in your local phone book.\n\ntransunion (1-800-916-8800) \nexperian (1-888-397-3742)\nequifax  (1-800-685-1111)\n\n2. Once you get the credit report, examine it for accuracy. If you find errors, false reporting, things more than 7 years old, or someone else using your identification (identity theft), then you file a form which is provided you with the report.  Each disputed report must be filed on different dispute forms so photocopy it as many times as you need.  Then mail them back to the credit reporting agencies. Those reporting you have 30 days to respond.  It is a lengthy process but the only true way to clear it.  If someone is impersonating you, contact your local law enforcement officials and file a report.\n\nAfter you have correct the reported errors get another updated credit report to make sure it is cleared and that your rating scores have increased. Do this 1 time a year to maintain accuracy.
485012
Okay, most of you have no idea (or only a partial) idae of what your talking about. First things first, Yes they must give you there actual address end of story, failure to do so contsitiutes violation of the FDCPA. Now about cease and desist letters and forwarding. A cease communications letter (CC) simply states that you do not want us to contact you again requarding the debt- you must state wether it si to be written, verbal or both. Otherwise it will be assumed it is verbal. This doesn't stop the collection activity, it simply means we cannot call YOU for information. We can call your family and nieghbors to get information- But we can only call them once, and only ask Where you live, your phone number and place of employment (POE). We can only call more than once if we believe they lied and can prove it. This is under section 805 of the FDCPA chptr 8.  We can only call you again to advise you of specific actions we are taking, ie a law suit. A CC doesn't cover any new account turned over, only old ones so everytime a new acccount comes you mest send another. \nCollection agencys will not just send out other accounts to competitors in the area, is inneffective- they will simply sue if they get the info, or abondon the accoutn if the balance is too small- but the biggents thing to remember CC letters make it so we must sue you to collect, and we can get ifo in a whole lot of diffrent LEGAL ways.
960787
According to consumer action:\n\nTwo laws protect consumers from abusive debt collectors: the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, a federal law; and the California Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The federal law applies only to third party collection agencies, or those agencies collecting debts on behalf of original credit grantors. The California law applies to both original creditors and collection agencies.\n\nYour most powerful weapon against a collection agency under the federal law is to write a letter asking them to stop trying to contact you, although this doesn't mean you don't owe the debt. If the agency continues to harass you, it is in violation of the federal law. It can communicate with you only to inform you that it plans to take actual legal steps.\n\nThe following restrictions apply to collection agencies under federal law and to all bill collectors under California law. Collectors CAN:\n\n    *\n\n      Contact you by phone between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.\n    *\n\n      Contact you initially by phone, but within five days must provide you with a letter that reflects the amount of the original debt, plus any interest that has accrued, the name and address of the original creditor, and a statement that states you have 30 days to dispute the debt.\n    *\n\n      Contact your lawyer only, if you have one.\n    *\n\n      Contact third parties only in order to locate you.\n    *\n\n      Charge interest on the debt if it was called for in the original contract or if allowed by state law. Rates may vary by state. In California, interest may be charged even if it was not in the original contract.\n    *\n\n      If you ask the collection agency to verify the debt within 30 days of when it initially contacted you, it must stop all collection efforts until it does.\n    *\n\n      Demand payment in full. Most collection agencies will let you make partial payments, but if you default on the agreement, they can insist upon full payment.\n    *\n\n      If you request in writing that a collection agency stop all communication with you, it must stop. But it can communicate with you to inform you that it plans to seek legal remedy or it is terminating collection efforts. (This is a Federal law and does not apply to original creditors.)\n\nThe following prohibitions apply to collection agencies under federal law and to all bill collectors under California law. Collectors CANNOT:\n\n    *\n\n      Contact you by phone before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m.\n    *\n\n      Fail to state: the agency's name, address, and phone number; the creditor's name; the amount owed; interest owed.\n    *\n\n      Attempt to or collect more than is owed.\n    *\n\n      Use any language that is obscene, abusive, or profane.\n    *\n\n      Call constantly so that they deliberately annoy or disturb you.\n    *\n\n      Threaten to sue you or garnish your wages, unless they intend to actually take this action.\n    *\n\n      Threaten to ruin your credit.\n    *\n\n      Threaten to send a sheriff to your house to have you arrested or your property seized.\n    *\n\n      Threaten to take any action that they cannot legally take.\n    *\n\n      Discuss your debt with third parties, or reveal to them that they are calling from a collection agency and that you owe a debt.\n    *\n\n      Insult you or a third party.\n    *\n\n      Use phony documents that appear to be from a law office or government agency.\n    *\n\n      Contact you at work if the collector is aware that your employer prohibits such calls.\n    *\n\n      Contact you after you have advised a collection agency in writing to stop.\n\nAdditional California Debt Collection Law\n\nCalifornia law allows original creditors and bill collectors to contact an employer for the following reasons only:\n\n    * To verify the debtor's employment and location.\n    * To set up wage garnishment after winning a judgment in court.\n    * To verify medical insurance fo
533065
most credit repair company's websites can do nothing that you can't do for yourself. they charge you to do simlpe thing that you can and should do for yourself.  as a rule they are scams or rip off artest