Debt Collection Calls – Is Someone Trying To Trick You?

You might sometimes come across forceful calls, where you will be asked by the person to pay off your loans immediately. He will insist you on repaying the loan, which you never took or are not sure of. You can in no way recognize the collector nor the debt. You might get worried at that moment, but you will need to stay composed and try to identify if it is a scammer who is calling you up.

There are chances of you being targeted for someone else’s loan. Therefore, you should be careful and ask the necessary questions, and try to resolve the issue of mistaken identity. An attorney working with Federal Trade Commission says that such cases are becoming extremely common these days. Most of the times it is unintentional, but at times it might also be a shady scammer trying to take your account number and other personal details.

Here are some of the ways using which you can easily know whether it is a case of phishing or just mistaken identity. You wouldn’t want some unknown financial case building up on you.

The first and foremost rule is, never disclose your account and personal information to anyone on the phone. No company calls you and asks you for your account details. So giving your details over the phone is a strict no-no.
Try to change the conversation tone and ask questions. try to find out about which debt the caller is talking about. If he/she hesitates to answer, then you can be sure that it is a fake call. He might try to get away by being rude, or if he tells that it’s none of your business, then you should understand that the call is made by a fraudster.

If you are actually due for some debt, then you will receive a confirmation letter five days after the first call. Many companies send the letter first and then call you. In both these cases receiving the letter is compulsory. If you have not received a letter then ask for the reference number, and try to gather all information to determine the authenticity of the call.

It might so happen that the agency calling you is legitimate, but the debt they’re talking about is not yours. In such a case contact the office of the state attorney general. Some scammers use the names of genuine agencies to collect information. You should in no circumstances reveal your personal or account information.