Merchant's Credit Guide The Company wanted money for a debt using my check by phone or credit card, I told them no, I'm disabled, with a terminal illness. I asked the guy not to call again. He said he wanted to use my credit card to set up a payment arrangement or the calls would continue. Chicago Illinois

""send a stop communications letter
I would send them a stop communications letter cerified. Once they receive that letter they can no longer contact you by phone or mail. If they do you can sue them for harrassment""

Incorrect. The FDCPA allows them to contact the consumer debtor ONCE after receiving such a letter to inform the consumer debtor as to any further action they are going to take, i.e. close the file, return assignment to creditor, file a lawsuit, etc.

IF they contact you beyone the scope of informing you of their intended future legal actions, then there is a violation of the FDCPA and grounds for a civil suit against them for the violation.

READ the FDCPA at www.ftc.gov.

Merchant's Credit Guide is not a bogus firm....it is a real, bottom-feeder debt collection agency.

Send them a letter via Certified Mail + Return Receipt stating:

Per the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, I am requesting:

- written validation of this alleged debt and that said alleged debt is within the statute of limitations
- Cease all verbal communications with me about this alleged debt.
==========================================

NEVER debt collectors your checking account # for payment...they can take out WAY more that you authorized....possibly leading to tons of bounced check fees. Pay only via USPS money order.

You have important rights under a federal law called the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. You have the right to request written validation of the debt. Debt collectors cannot take your firstborn child, nor can they send the police to your residence to have your arrested for not paying them. Debt collectors cannot be abusive and they cannot pretend to be (or work for) attorneys when this is not the case. Anytime a debt collector threatens legal action, per the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you have the right to speak with their [alleged] attorney. Request to know the attorney's full name and his/her license # in the state bar association.


Read up on the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and understand your rights:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_Debt_Collection_Practices_Act

I would send them a stop communications letter cerified. Once they receive that letter they can no longer contact you by phone or mail. If they do you can sue them for harrassment