What happens if I make a payment to the wrong debt collector?

If you make a payment to the wrong debt collector in California, you may experience a few consequences. First, the debt collector may not be authorized to collect the debt, so the payment does not count towards your overall debt. Second, the debt collector may not have the proper legal authority to pursue a claim against you for the debt, meaning they may not be able to sue you if the debt is not paid. Third, the debt collector may not be protected by state or federal debt collection law, meaning they may not be able to use any of the remedies available to legally collect debts in California. Finally, the wrong debt collector is not likely to provide you with the proper accounting of how much you owe and when the debt is paid off. The best course of action if you make a payment to the wrong debt collector is to file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and ask them to investigate the situation. They will look into the matter and make sure all fees, interest, and other charges are properly accounted for and that the debt is being paid by the proper person. They may also be able to help you recover any money you have paid in error. Additionally, you should contact a consumer protection attorney to help you resolve any issues with the debt collector.

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What happens if I make a payment to the wrong debt collector?

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