When you owe money to someone, there are many different ways that they can try to collect it. The debt collection process usually starts with the creditor sending a letter asking for payment. If you don’t respond or make any payments, the creditor may send a second notice, this time with an additional late fee added.
This second notification is called a demand letter. If you still refuse to make payments, the next step in inkasso regler (debt collection rules) is typically filing a lawsuit against you to get a judgment and enforce it with garnishment or foreclosure.
These steps can vary from one collector to another and each collector has their standards when it comes to how they collect debts. Read on for more information about what to expect during your experience with debt collectors.
What To Do If You Receive A Notice
When you hear from a debt collector, it is best to be polite and ask questions. Many people think that debt collectors are trying to trick them into paying something they don’t owe, but that is not the case. If you believe that there has been some sort of mistake, politely explain why you don’t think the amount they are asking for is correct or why you don’t owe anything at all.
If you do owe the debt, listen to what the inkassoregler (debt collection rules) has to say and see if there’s any way for you to make payments over time or on a payment plan. Debt collectors are not allowed to tell outright lies about your account to collect a payment, but they can be tricky.
If you do not believe that you owe that debt or any part of it, ask the debt collector how to proceed. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) requires collectors to tell you how to dispute the debt in writing.
If they don’t send you a written dispute letter, it is considered a violation of the FDCPA and could be used against them in court. If they do send a letter, follow their instructions carefully and make sure that your dispute is sent back within 30 days of the letter’s arrival.
Collectors have different standards for when they’ll send a demand letter and when they’ll file suit against you. Some collectors may begin calling you frequently if you don’t pay or answer letters within their time frame. Others may wait until after they’ve filed suit before contacting you by phone.
What ToExpectDuringThe DebtCollectionProcess
As a general rule, you can expect to hear from debt collectors at least three times before they file suit against you. The first time will be when they send you a demand letter. If you don’t answer it or pay within their specified time frame, the next time will be when they file suit against you in court.
The final time will be when they contact you again before they take any other legal action like garnishing your wages or taking your house. They’re not required to tell you what the next step is going to be before they take it, so it’s important that if and when the situation gets serious you know what to expect and what steps to take to protect yourself from them taking more drastic action.
