Did You Know Debt Collectors Are Using Social Media To Get Hold Of You?
The first thought of a debt collector is someone we have seen in sitcoms and movies as a bounty collector. And this can send shivers to the spine when we think of the same. We aren’t here to scare you about debt collection, but are here to tell you that debt collectors have more ways than one to check for delinquent student loan misdemeanors that haven’t paid their loans yet. To seek help on how to pay off student loans, one should check with a financial debt consolidation expert at the earliest. However, did you know that most debt collectors are actually trolling your social media accounts to get to you? Shocked? Don’t be, here’s how to be safe and aware of the same.
Fake identities online
How often have you woken up one morning and seen on your smartphone a friend request from an unknown source? These could be fake profiles created by debt collector, which when you accept, would allow them to check your doings and get to you. This is a very uncalled for and a sleazy practice, which goes way under ethical norms.
They collect your personal information
Keep your security settings on social media the tightest, which helps keep your personal information, such as date of birth, your real home address, your job status and employment information, and every tidbit they need, hidden from them. If they have access to this, they would come and hound you over until you pay in full.
They broadcast your delinquency online
Another unethical practice most debt collectors do would to broadcast your delinquency status on social media forums, and tagging your identity online to the same. This is wrong, since the whole world gets to know about the delinquency you are going through; it is personal information which shouldn’t be let out.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
1. Under the law, debt collectors can only get in touch with you when you are available; no disturbing you when your work hours are on, and no visiting you at your work place. The Federal Consumer Finance Protection Bureau has rules in place for collectors to use and how they should contact you.
2. Appropriate disclosures by the debt collectors should be given to you by them. Section 807(11) of the FDCPA says so; an initial talk between the debt collector and the consumer must first happen, basis which a disclosure must be made to tell the consumer that this is an attempt to collect debt, and information they gain would be used for the same.
3. Revealing your financial status and debt to third parties isn’t allowed by the debt collectors, and Section 805 (b) of the FDCPA says so. Section 806(3) also doesn’t allow the debt collectors to publish financial and personal information of the client online or on any social media platform.
4. Charges cannot be collected by the debt collectors unless there has been an agreement signed in black and white, by the two parties for the same. The FDCPA is very strict about the same.
Be wary and know your rights, should you ever have to face such a situation.
