Collectors should understand that being verbally abusive only causes more harm, and exposes their employers to expensive (and usually avoidable) legal problems.

I’m not sure why you would be getting a call when you have a court date. But rather than send this information on this public site, you should confer with a local attorney about your options.

I do not know if you’re in Massachusetts – if you are, please feel free to email me directly (or use the Contact Us link on the right).

If you are not – please contact a local bar association for a referral to a good ocnsumer protection attorney near you.

–Bill

Thanks so much.

I’m not sure what you mean by “taken care of through a Credit Counseling Firm.” Something’s not right.

It’s important to remember that credit counseling is – for the most part – voluntary…on both sides. Creditors do not have to participate if they do not want to.

However, there are also scam artists out there who pose as credit counselors. These clowns will take your money, and claim that they will “settle” with credit card companies for pennies on the dollar. What they are really doing is waiting for the consumer to make monthly payments into a bank account and to build up a balance. However, the first payment, or the first few payments go right into the pocket of the “credit counselor” as their fee. In many cases, consumers end up in bankruptcy because they are mislead to believe that the “credit counseling” company (or debt management company) is “taking care of things” when in fact, they are being put into a more precarious financial situation.

If this is you, please see a local consumer protection attorney ASAP.

Good luck,

—Bill