#I spend 40 hours a week stuck between idiot coworkers and furious customers trying to help people who are stuck in debt keep their HOMES

[lostlegendaerie]

thank you for always debunking those debt posts because holy FUCK is there some bad advice in those posts. I have very limited experience dealing with debt collectors but “don’t ever give out your SSN over the phone”???? you HAVE to do that in a number of legitimate interactions. it’s not some gotcha question, it’s identity verification. my god.

I do feel bad, because I did lose my temper in that second post (and I think I pissed off a few mutuals if I clocked their vague posts correctly, which oh my god please just say something to my face if I've upset you) and you do need to be careful when someone you don't know calls you and claims you owe them money! But their solution of complete inaction in the name of 'not playing their game' just. will not work! I'm sorry! I wish it did!

If someone contacts you in any way about money you don't think you owe:

1) get their info if it's a call (Business hours, name, call back number, etc.) and ask where the debt came from (name of the bank, whatever.) If they can't answer without you telling them personal info and you're uneasy, say you'll call them back and disconnect.

2) do your research (look up the company name, the phone number they called from, etc.) and back-reference with any debts you know you have. (You should probably keep track of those anyway). E.G. if you had a medical procedure done and you get a collection call, reach out to the hospital and ask if they're using any company for collection services.

3) if shit don't feel right, reach out to the BBB/CFPB/Attorney General and use them as a middleman to request a validation of debt or report your concerns as fraud. Those are vetted agencies who you can trust with your personal info (and they won't ask for your SSN usually) who can hold the company to task to answer your questions.

Back to our regularly scheduled fandom nonsense. Cheesus crust.