Sep 22, 2015
The most important thing you can do is know your rights.
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0149-debt-collection
This link takes you to the FTC's website and gives you all the rules debt collectors must follow. It also (at the bottom) provides links to where you can report any debt collector who isn't following the law.
If you walk away from that link with nothing else, please remember this;
REAL debt collectors will send you (because they are required to, by law) a 'DEBT VALIDATION'. This is sent through the mail (USPS) with a stamp on it (e-mail, fax, texts, carrier pigeon, smoke signals...none of those count) and tell you when you incurred the debt, to whom you owe the original debt, and how to proceed if you don't think you owe the amount, or if your records reflect a different amount. Remember, this is REQUIRED BY LAW to be sent to you within 5 days from initial contact (on the company behalf) DEMAND THEY SEND YOU THIS!!! This will immediately weed out the scammers.