Bad Credit Online Magazine - Daily News and Advice on Credit, Debt and Mortgage : Debt collection agency harasses daughter for her late father sins

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January 09, 2006

Debt collection agency harasses daughter for her late father sins

Q: My father died with around $11,000 in debt, mostly credit cards and small unsecured loan he took just months before his death. None of it is related to me in any way, I never cosigned for him or had a joint account, but I've been getting several calls each months from collection agencies. I was nice at first, trying to explain that I have nothing to do with that debt and whatever little he left is gone. But those slime balls won't leave me alone and keep on calling. I didn't even know how the heck they found me, until I read about skip-tracers on your site. I recalled suddenly two strange phone calls in August, and then debt collectors started calling.
Now I tell them that dad left me a small fortune, just to piss them off, and they are not going to get any of it. My husband is getting really mad when they call. What can I do to get rid of those wackos?

A: We feel your pain. Even if your father left any monies, they are yours, period. To get those collectors of your back, tell them that even Stalin said - "Son (in your case a daughter) isn't responsible for the father's crimes". On the serious note, send the most recent collection agency a certified letter with return receipt required, explaining that you father past away with nothing left, and you have nothing to do with his debt. Tell that their practice is in violation with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and if they don't stop, the next letter will be from your lawyer. And if they call you again, get a lawyer to write another letter. It shouldn't cost more than few hundred dollars. Here is the FTC complaint number if you want to try it as well: 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357)

 
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