Here’s What You Should Ask First:
Ask for the caller’s name, company, phone number, and physical address.
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How much do I owe and who is the creditor?
Debt collectors must give you information such as the name of the creditor they represent and the amount you owe. A legitimate and professional debt collection agency, like Oxygen XL, will not withhold this valuable information from you.
Look For These Signs That It’s a Debt Collection Scam
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Did they verify your identity?
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) places limits on who debt collectors can talk to about your debt. Once the collector has given you sufficient information about their company and who they represent, they should attempt to verify your identity. The information they request might include your full name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your social security number.
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Did they threaten or harass you?
Lawful debt collection agencies follow the regulations outlined in the FDCPA. These regulations are in place to protect you from harassment and scammers who try to bully you into paying them or revealing your personal or financial information. For example, the 7-in-7 rule, as outlined by the FDCPA, mandates that debt collectors cannot contact you more than 7 times within 7 consecutive days. Learn more about the 7-in-7 rule and how it protects you.
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Did they ask you to provide personal and financial information?
You should never provide your bank account, routing numbers, or full social security number unless you are certain you are dealing with a legitimate debt collection organization. Scammers can use this information for identity theft.
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Did they pressure you to pay with a money transfer or prepaid payment method?
This is a sure sign that you are dealing with a debt collection scam! These payment methods are untraceable and popular with scammers who claim to represent a legitimate collection agency.