No one wants to talk about it, but — for nearly all of us — hearing from debt collectors (and often, too) will be a reality at some point in our lives. Thankfully, with a little know-how, there are two important things that you can do. First, know your rights. Know when it is and isn’t appropriate to hear from debt collectors, and what they can legally do and say. Second, learn about all of the options available to you. Remember, there are ways to tap into additional funds immediately to pay off debts and keep bill collectors at bay.
Know Your Rights As A Consumer
While it is pretty much a given that companies want their money and will do whatever they can to collect it, there are rules in place and they must follow them. First, there are some general guidelines about when they can legally call. In many cases, it is perfectly reasonable not to expect any calls before 7 or 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. Debt collectors and collection agencies also should not be trying to contact you on national holidays, like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Similarly, know that these professional agencies should: 1. Be ready and willing to accept several different forms of payment, and 2. Avoid over-the-top threats (including threatens about lawsuits and jail time).
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While there are ways that you can ensure debt collection calls are somewhat more manageable, the best thing you can do is to pay off debts ASAP. And you may have more untapped sources of cash than you think. It is nearly always possible to sell an annuity, for example. Selling an annuity settlement or even lottery payments are valid options, too. When you make the decision to sell an annuity, expect a portion of the funds upfront. In may cases, you will have immediate or near-immediate access to these funds to pay off debts and meet demanding financial needs right now.
Past due bills and debt happens. When it does, know how to cope with debt collection calls and scrounge up some extra cash for bills. Helpful sites.