These days, it is almost impossible for consumers in Michigan to hide from debt collectors forever. Even if you move several times, change your phone number, or even change your name, they’ll probably catch up with you eventually. This is because most debt collection agencies have numerous resources at their disposal. However, most debt collectors can easily find ample information on Michigan consumers just by going online. Yet, even if you owe money, and debt collectors track you down, you still have rights. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), there are certain things that debt collection agents may not legally do. This includes discussing your debts with the friends and family members who popped up when they studied your profile on Facebook.
The Means that Debt Collectors Use to Find Michigan Consumers
Different debt collectors in Michigan have different rules about what they will and won’t use to locate consumers. Of course, some debt collection agencies have no qualms about using any resource at their disposal. Typically, debt collectors try to keep their costs down. So, they start with easy, free information sources, then work their way up to more complicated or expensive measures.
They usually start with information provided by the Michigan debtors themselves.
Debt collection agents refer to using various resources to track down consumers as “skip tracing.” Yet, frequently, they don’t have to engage this tactic. This is because, when debt collection agencies purchase debts from creditors, they gain access to various documents. These include credit applications, contracts, purchase orders for products, and emails.
For debt collectors, this initial burst of information is incredibly valuable, especially if the documents are recent. Even if they can’t locate a Michigan resident based on this data alone, it at least provides a good start.
They search free databases, then move on to paid databases.
Most debt collectors use WhitePages.com, which is free for anyone to access. Then, if this simple resource yields nothing of value, they move on to various paid data compilation services. For example, LexisNexis Accurint and SearchAmerica are popular databases among Michigan debt collection throughout the U.S.
They check credit scores and credit reports.
According to most Michigan debt collectors, they are more likely to pull credit scores than credit reports. Then, if they do check credit reports, they normally perform “soft pulls.” These soft inquiries cost less than hard inquiries, and they also don’t have a negative impact on consumer credit scores. Granted, with soft pulls, debt collectors don’t get access to full credit reports. Yet, they normally get enough information to make the inquiries worth their time.
They search for debtors on social media platforms.
Finally, some debt collection firms instruct agents to comb social media platforms for Michigan debtors. Others, on the other hand, ban the tactic. Debt collectors who do look at social media profiles likely find a wealth of information there. After all, unless you have your privacy settings locked down, anyone can see the information and photos you’ve posted. Therefore, debt collection agents can grab birthdates, names of friends and family members, and possibly your current address and phone numbers. Here, debt collectors who want to garnish your wages might learn the name of your employer. They might look for details concerning your income. Then, that picture on Instagram of you standing in front of your new car might tip them off to the fact that you can afford to pay your debt.
How Michigan Consumers Should Deal with Abusive Debt Collectors
Again, no matter how they find you, when they contact you, debt collectors may not violate your rights under the FDCPA. For example, they are not permitted to call you at inconvenient times, make outrageous threats, or use harsh language with you. In addition, when Michigan consumers tell debt collectors – in writing – to stop calling, they must comply.
Of course, not every debt collection agent follows the rules. Also, unfortunately, not every consumer in Michigan knows that they don’t have to put up with debt collector abuse. You also don’t have to handle the situation on your own. Instead, contact Credit Repair Lawyers of America in Michigan. When you do, an experienced FDCPA attorney will stop the harassment. In addition, if our firm files a successful action against the debt collection agency, you may receive a damage payment. No matter what, Michigan consumers never pay anything out of pocket for the work we do.
The Free and Legal way to Get Better Credit and Stop Debt Collector Harassment in Michigan
Don’t let debt collectors or collection agencies get away with illegal actions. At Credit Repair Lawyers of America, we’ve stopped debt collector abuse since 2008. We make the debt collector pay you. Our services cost you nothing. How do we do it? All of our fees come from the defendants in settled cases. This is why our clients pay nothing for the work we do.
Let’s start the conversation about what we can do to stop debt collectors from harassing you. Call us today at (248) 353-2882 or contact us via our website.
For more information about Ending Debt Collector Abuse, please visit https://creditrepairlawyersam.com/michigan/michigan-debt-collectors/.
