How to Spot Debt Collection Scams

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How to spot Scams involving Debt Collection
Be aware of scams, protect your information and alert authorities if you are contacted by a debt collection scam.
Written by Sean Pyles Senior Writer | Personal finances, financial debt Sean Pyles leads podcasting at NerdWallet as the producer and host of NerdWallet's "Smart Money" podcast. In "Smart Money," Sean talks with Nerds across the NerdWallet Content team to answer the questions of listeners about their personal finances. With a focus on shrewd and actionable money advice, Sean provides real-world guidance that will help consumers improve the financial situation of their lives. In addition to answering listeners' financial concerns on "Smart Money" Sean also interviews guests outside of NerdWallet and also creates special segments that explore subjects like the racial inequality gap, how to start investing and the history for student loans.
Before Sean was the host of podcasting for NerdWallet He also covered issues concerning consumer debt. His work has appeared on USA Today, The New York Times and other publications. When when he's not writing about personal finances, Sean can be found playing in his garden, going on walks, or walking his dog for long walks. He lives at Ocean Shores, Washington.





Aug 5, 2021


Editor: Kathy Hinson Lead Assigning Editor Personal finances, credit scoring debt and money management Kathy Hinson leads the core personal finance team at NerdWallet. Prior to joining NerdWallet, she worked for 18 years working at The Oregonian in Portland in positions such as copy desk chief and team leader for design and editing. Previous experience included news and copy editing at several Southern California newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times. She earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communications in The University of Iowa.







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If you're receiving threatening phone calls about a debt, even if it's one that you know about, you could be the victim of a scam to collect debts.
Here are key ways to identify and defend yourself from illegitimate .
Warning signs of frauds to collect debt
It's possible to receive an unwanted call from a debt collector if you do not know the debt you are supposed to have to pay or if the person calling you:
Can't or won't provide detailed information about the debt and origin creditor.
Won't give you details about the organization the person claims to represent, including name or address as well as phone number.
Employs aggressive tactics to press the customer into paying immediately.
Makes a request for payment over the phone.
Requests sensitive information, such as details of the bank account you have, Social Security number or your debit or credit card numbers.

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Common scams
It's simple to spot a scam in which an individual attempts to collect an unpaid debt you aren't aware of or even know you don't owe. The fake debt collectors have numerous ways of getting your information and hoping to convince you into a fast payment via a cold-call.
Some are more difficult to identify, for instance, scammers trying to recover a debt you do have to pay. Scammers may look into your credit report to determine the people you owe money to, for example, and then call pretending to represent the creditors.
Afraid of being arrested or abusive words are clear indications of a scammer according to the . It's not illegal to arrest someone for a debt, and it's against the to mislead consumers about what happens if you don't pay off a debt. The legitimate debt collectors be very careful in this area.
Another red flag: anyone claiming that they represent someone from the Internal Revenue Service and seeking immediate payment. The tax collection agency of the government will never demand that you pay immediately by phone or ask for a debit or credit card number. Both are indicators of . But be aware that the IRS in 2017 is a bit different.
For any debt, you should request confirmation letters -which is a document that details the specifics of the debt -- before doing anything.
What to do
Consider your options before you take action . However, you should take these specific steps if you believe that the person calling you is trying to make money from you.
Get information
Begin by gathering information about the debt collector and the debt. Get a validation letter. Legitimate debt collectors should provide this information as soon as possible without delay. Any hesitation could be the sign of a scammer.
If you get a call, ask for his or her name and employer, and the number of their phone and street address. If the caller won't give the information requested, that's an indicator of trouble.
Protect your personal information
However a debt collector might ask, don't give away or provide information about your bank account as well as debit or credit card numbers, or Social Security number. If you do, you could be at risk for identity theft, or allow a scammer pull money from your accounts.
Contact the creditor who originally made the offer.
If you suspect that a fraudulent debt collector has reached you regarding payment for the debt you owe and you believe it is a scam, contact the original creditor whether it has sold your debt, and also for the contact details for the agency who owns the debt.
Ignore the calls
Avoiding repeated phone calls is among the most effective methods to get a scammer off your back. Don't hesitate to hang up in the face of harassment or threats or threats, and do not answer calls. Because scammers want to make quick money by stealing an easy target, they're not likely to keep you on their radar for long before moving on.
If you're in contact an authentic debt collector However, you'll need to come up with a plan for .
File a complaint
Don't be afraid to file a complaint with the or your state if you think a scam debt collector has reached you. Find all the details you can , and then include the information in your formal complaint.



The author's bio: Sean Pyles is the executive producer and host of NerdWallet's Smart Money podcast. His writing has been featured in The New York Times, USA Today and elsewhere.







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