Can a debt collector contact me about a debt that is not mine?

In Washington, a debt collector can contact you about a debt that is not yours under certain circumstances. Generally, a debt collector may contact you if they believe you are responsible for a debt in some way, such as being a co-signer or guarantor. In these cases, the debt collector may contact you in order to collect the money owed. If a debt collector contacts you about a debt that you do not believe is yours, you have rights under debt collection law. You have the right to have the debt collector validate the debt or prove that you are responsible for the debt. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, a debt collector must verify that the debt is yours before they can try to collect from you. So, if the debt is not yours, the debt collector must stop trying to collect from you. In addition, it is illegal for a debt collector to harass or threaten you, or to use deceptive or misleading tactics in an attempt to collect a debt. This means that a debt collector cannot falsely tell you that you are responsible for a debt that is not yours in an attempt to collect the money. If you believe that a debt collector has contacted you improperly or has violated your rights in any way, you may be able to take legal action. You should contact a lawyer who specializes in debt collection law to discuss your situation.

Related FAQs

Are there any exemptions from the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act?
Can a debt collector charge a fee for collection of a debt?
Is it illegal for a debt collector to call me repeatedly?
Can a debt collector turn a debt over to an attorney for collection?
Can a debt collector list my debt on my credit report?
Can a debt collector add interest or additional charges to my debt?
What happens if I dispute a debt with the credit bureau?
What can I do if a debt collector violates the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act?
What is debt collection law?
Can a debt collector threaten to garnish my wages?

Can a debt collector contact me about a debt that is not mine?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts