You are the only person who keeps it simple and covers everything. THANK YOU!!!
@johngwatts4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the kind words!
@trieucao23284 жыл бұрын
This is just superb, I have been researching "how can i get out of paying debt collectors?" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you heard people talk about - Donadelyn Stupefying Dominance - (search on google ) ? It is an awesome one off guide for discovering how to repair your credit without the hard work. Ive heard some extraordinary things about it and my buddy got amazing results with it.
@gracedeleon11004 жыл бұрын
Just wonderful, I've been looking for "how do you get creditors to stop calling your work" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you ever come across - Donadelyn Stupefying Dominance - (search on google ) ? It is a great one of a kind product for discovering how to repair your credit without the headache. Ive heard some awesome things about it and my cousin got excellent results with it.
@user-em4el6rf5v6 ай бұрын
This man helped me delete almost 100k worth of debt . Listen to him
@MissionaryInMexico4 жыл бұрын
No representation is made that this lawyer is better than any other. That's for us to decide, collectively. And we've decided. Best advice in the USA.
@johngwatts4 жыл бұрын
Thanks! :)
@pinkconfidantp2me9123 жыл бұрын
I actually just got my credit report in the mail today and it says who bought my depth haaa I no longer owe it now I'm going to send off the letters and watch my credit rise, thank you for this video its awesome
@JailGuide6 жыл бұрын
Also a good idea to have your letter (and copy) stamped by a Notary.
@ced66607 жыл бұрын
I was always told not to sign anything going to collection agency
@MissionaryInMexico4 жыл бұрын
I've heard that, too because they can compare your signature with loans.
@samueljason84374 жыл бұрын
John, You must have paid off your college by being a collector! As an attorney you give better counsel (free advice too) than any other Attorney I have listened to. In most cases Agencies are run by abusive, greedy, burnt out collectors! The attorneys rarely have your knowledge or they are too "busy" to get involved in educating the employees that could cause them liability! I paid my loans in this business! Mainly medical collection. That experience taught me to respect how you do things! Education,communication, and empathy!
@shanniworld83108 жыл бұрын
Thank you for taking the time to make this video. I am a paralegal, learning new areas of the law. This video is the perfect jump off point, to the wonderful world of making money by not losing it. I am not in your state. Is the initial process the same across state lines, since the violation is at a Federal level?
@johngwatts8 жыл бұрын
You are welcome -- thanks for your comment! Basically it is the same everywhere based on federal law (Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and Telephone Consumer Protection Act). Now each state can have some differences but this will hopefully give you a good start. Best wishes! John Watts
@gracedeleon11004 жыл бұрын
Just wonderful, I've been looking for "how do you get creditors to stop calling your work" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you ever come across - Donadelyn Stupefying Dominance - (search on google ) ? It is a great one of a kind product for discovering how to repair your credit without the headache. Ive heard some awesome things about it and my cousin got excellent results with it.
@ximbos5 жыл бұрын
Never give the debt collector your cell phone number. Just tell them not to call. Giving them your number and then telling them not to call sends a mixed message, or one that can be misunderstood.
@johngwatts5 жыл бұрын
Paul, That is an option to tell them not to call. Advantage is you don't have to talk to them. Never fun talking with collectors. Disadvantage is you are not talking to them. You might could work it out over the phone. Or they may be abusive and when they violate the law you can sue them. You may also need information from them that you can get easier over the phone than in a letter. Different strategies or tools -- key is to use the right tool at the right time. And what you have suggested can be very helpful in the right circumstance. Thank you for your comment John Watts
@jimmoss17445 жыл бұрын
Why not just not have a phone ....its not like it's illegal to not have a phone number ?
@flpete10 жыл бұрын
well said, precise. thank you
@shanniworld83108 жыл бұрын
Totally.
@180waver3 жыл бұрын
Thank you..great video n info..I'm getting ready to dispute here soon
@thebigmann815 жыл бұрын
If I have a charge off from original creditor can collection company add collection on report too under collection company. So I would have 2 different Mark's for same debt.
@johngwatts5 жыл бұрын
Kenneth you can have two IF the original creditor shows zero balance and that the account was transferred to another company. Where we see problems are where both accounts ("tradeline" is what the industry calls each account) have the balance. That would make it look like you owed twice as much. If you are in Alabama feel free to reach out to me and I'll be glad to go over your reports with you. Thanks John Watts 205-879-2447 www.alabamaconsumer.com/contact-us/
@jimmoss17445 жыл бұрын
First type for all the info .....I also find your reply to everyone questions very helpful....I just wish you would be a little more generous with lamens terms you write huge novel replays it's a bit much
@johngwatts5 жыл бұрын
You are welcome. I'll be conscious of not using technical legal terms and when I do I'll do my best to explain. As far as the replies being too long -- I get that. It is a balancing act when I have time to respond do I give a very short response or try to give enough info so the person who asked the question can find the answer. Have a good one and thanks for the feedback. John
@prashantrajan88814 жыл бұрын
Useful video kindly upload some videos on 604,609,611,612
@johngwatts4 жыл бұрын
Are you talking about the sections of the FCRA or something else?
@samueljason84374 жыл бұрын
I do not think the you tube community knows they are listening to an bona fide attorney! Always get that green or orange USPS receipt card and have a copy! 90% of the collection/legal advice on you tube is dangerous and out right stupid! I have never heard bad info on your videos! Im subscribed. I know a little about this subject;)
@dgulfgate5 жыл бұрын
1 have 6 cc how many do I need, also a cop gave me ticket for 400 , I need proff that I have to pay 400 but the judge always goes with the cop, the cop makes mistakes to.
@johngwatts5 жыл бұрын
I'm not sure as I don't do traffic cases. Should be a traffic type lawyer you could talk to in order to see what the best strategy is for paying or beating the ticket. Best wishes
@thebigmann815 жыл бұрын
Recommend Only have 1 credit card with zero annual fees and low interest if possible. Pay off in full every month no exceptions. Never spend more than 25% at most. So if you have $1000 available then you can't spend more than $250 in total counting any fees or taxes. Credit cards are for emergencies or to build credit score. I have my Netflix charged as well as my auto insurance charged automatically and I buy groceries or gas with it that's it. The money I would spend on those things I use it to pay credit card right away. Also never give out debit card number or checking info out to anyone or company for payment, use credit card if needed then pay the credit card. Also have a checking account and 2 savings account is a good idea. 1 savings for anything from savings for a vacation, buying a home, a new leather jacket or anything that you might want to save for, even birthday or Christmas. The 2nd savings is a emergency account. You need at least 6 months of living expenses in it. So if your living expenses is $15,000 then you should have that in it and never touch it period as it is for a emergency only, a real emergency like lost job or car engine went to crap but it need to be fixed or replaced to get to work. Like I said real emergencies. Start even with just $25 a week to put in account. Once you get to the goal keep adding, never stop adding. Also never buy a new car unless you have the cash ,that interest will kill up and the car loses value as soon as it pulls of the lot. I say buy a good running used $5000 vehicle and pay in cash. Many people have fancy cars they lease but is poor as dirt. No need to keep up with Jones and Johnson's family.
@thebigmann815 жыл бұрын
I'm not a lawyer, a traffic lawyer would help or some type of legal aid. But in my opinion if they don't have proof like a photo or something definitely fight it. If it's a radar speeding ticket argu it, example I would ask what type of training do they have to use radar gun,if they say in house,then so you are not certified then is that correct. That's one example. Or ask them when was it last calibrated. If it's not up to date it could get thrown out. Remember never admit guilt.
@itssweetiebrandi5 жыл бұрын
Hi, back in 2013 when I was in college I signed a lease to an apartment that was not yet built, to move in to the next school year. 1) They did not finish building the apartment on time by contracted date, I have the email proof of that. I never returned to that state for school nor did I ever move in to the apartment. My roommate did, and she told me they also had other tenants living in the apartment but they still charged me a full years worth of rent. I have the lease (minus the front page) and the email they sent me apologizing for the apt not being ready. How can I dispute the validity of this debt? Is this letter enough?
@johngwatts5 жыл бұрын
Great question. First, figure out who is contacting you about this. Is it the apartment complex or a collector such as Rent Recovery or Hunter Warfield? Second, see if this is on your credit report. Third, get with a lawyer in your state to see if not having the apartment ready in time is a breach under the landlord tenant law. I suspect in most places it will be. I do think the email saying it is not ready will be helpful -- you'll need to see if you responded or if they thought you were going to use the apartment when it was ready. Best wishes John Watts
@itssweetiebrandi5 жыл бұрын
Alabama Consumer Protection Lawyers thank you so much for your rapid reply & for the helpful information!! It is on my credit report and now the collection agency is trying to collect on the debt. I met with a lawyer once who told me to send a letter or he could for about $100. I will follow up with this again. Again thank you, You're amazing for taking time to help.
@johngwatts5 жыл бұрын
Very welcome!
@tuesdaetownsend34794 жыл бұрын
What about the money that they have already garnished out your check?
@johngwatts4 жыл бұрын
I'm assuming if they are garnishing you they already have a judgment. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/eMeplsR8stOXj40.html If so, need to see if any way to make that judgment go away (for example not being properly served -- kzfaq.info/get/bejne/idimjMiaqdvXl4E.html) If not, then can you settle the judgment. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mr9yq5yJp9HGnKs.html Hope that helps! John Watts
@sassygalist7 жыл бұрын
I did this a few weeks later they reported on my credit report "customer dispute, meets FCRA requirements" and never sent me documentation that this is my debt. From what I can tell that statement means it is legitimate. What next step should I take to have it removed? I have the green card
@johngwatts7 жыл бұрын
Couple of thoughts for you. 1. Get with a consumer protection lawyer in your state to give you specific advice. 2. You may want to send a follow up letter to the debt collector asking to validate the debt and send you documentation. Did you send your first letter to the credit reporting agencies or the debt collector or both? The statement "customer disputes, meets FCRA requirements" does NOT meant the debt is legit. It simply means the FCRA requires if you dispute that the debt be noted as that. FDCPA does also. So it means this may not be an obvious violation of the law. But if you haven't received validation -- proof, etc -- from the debt collector I would consider asking for it. Point out (if true) that you previously requested from them and got nothing. Ask them why? Best wishes! John Watts
@Valentinathevamp6 жыл бұрын
Stacey huston. In writing ✍️, just like before with the green post office receipt, request a copy of the original bill, the original debtor’s name, address, phone number. Then you contact them and ask them for a letter stating that you have never owed them. It’s sometimes called a letter of satisfaction.
@Matador_matty7 жыл бұрын
Can you help with a New York case regarding improper reporting and unfair act
@johngwatts7 жыл бұрын
Sorry -- I can't as I don't practice in NY. Find a consumer protection lawyer in NY and ask them about your situation. Quite a few lawyers who do this work in NY -- interview several and find the one that you feel the best connection with. Best wishes! John Watts
@warmerleggings92913 жыл бұрын
I sent in a dispute asking to prove it was my debt by sending me the original contract with my signature and proof that they are licensed to collect in my state. Thet sent a letter back with just an account summary saying that's all they need to prove it's my debt. Is this true? Doesn't FDCPA guidelines require them to send what I'm asking for?
@nickeeg972 жыл бұрын
I'm curious also what the answer to this question is ???
@4queenacres5 жыл бұрын
Hello, I live in South Carolina and although you practice law in Alabama I thought maybe you could help! I have been sued by an original creditor and have mailed my response in certified, return receipt with either "admitting (only to my name and address), denying or lacking knowledge to verify the information as true; therefore, I deny the question". I also included a separate page for Discovery on their part. They have since returned their Discovery (via USPS mail but not certified return receipt) and they answered each question with "...Plaintiff objects to this question as it is overly broad and unduly burdensome..." When they sent this back to me, they also sent in another envelope (via USPS mail but not certified return receipt) Admittance questions and Interrogatory questions for me. My questions are: 1. Are they required to "serve" this information (their response to my Discovery and their Admittance and Interrogatory questions) to me via Certified Return Receipt, to acknowledge I received the information? What would happen if I never received the mail? 2. Should I have sent them Interrogatory questions with my Discovery questions? Is it too late now that I have sent and received Discovery back? 3. Can I file a Motion to Dismiss at this point or do I need to do a Motion to Compel next, since I did not receive an appropriate response from them on Discovery? I have been reading the "Rules"; however, they can become somewhat confusing since they refer you to another "Rule"and then another "Rule" throughout the law. Thank you in advance for any help you can provide!
@johngwatts5 жыл бұрын
Marshall and Lori, First, call Penny Hays Cauley -- www.hayscauley.net/ -- 843-773-2782 -- she used to be in Alabama but has been in South Carolina maybe a decade or so. She could help you. In Alabama they don't have to send you responses by certified mail. They should if they are not confirming receipt by email but no rule requires it. Normally you can send interrogatories whenever you want as long as still time for discovery. Here you would not be able to file a motion to dismiss since you are in discovery. But if they didn't answer your questions, you call or meet with them to go over it to try to work out discovery fight, then you file motion to compel if you can't resolve the discovery issues. I know it can be confusing -- give Penny a call and she can point you in the right direction I believe. Best wishes! John
@sinnombre87923 жыл бұрын
How about when it’s a20 year old medical bill and statue of limitation in my state has passed its 4 years
@johngwatts3 жыл бұрын
If the statute of limitations is long past, and if the debt is 20 years old, this means they should not be able to sue or credit report. (Sometimes the statute of limitations can be restarted by paying, etc so do keep that in mind.) Really all they should be doing, if anything, is calling and writing. You might consider a refuse to pay letter. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/r7GchNmUqrScqoU.html Is it the same collector or do they change collectors every few months? John
@sinnombre87923 жыл бұрын
@@johngwatts thank you so much 🙏
@sinnombre87923 жыл бұрын
@@johngwatts it the first time a debt collector try to collect after purchasing the account from original creditors the hospital. It even sat on my credit report for 7 years and fell off a long time ago.
@destaco72 жыл бұрын
Do you know any good lawyers in North Carolina that does this? The government under the Treasury offset program garnish my civilian wages as a student loan debt but it was for a military star credit card from when I was in the service. I need help with that.
@lolamanny10112 жыл бұрын
Do you have to put the last 4 digits of you social security number?
@Dgrider022 жыл бұрын
Please give advice….I follow and love your channel…I have a quick question and just want to know your opinion…I’m currently being sued by Midland and have done every thing you’ve suggested and feel pretty confident…here goes … How do you feel about sending conditional letters of acceptance 🤔 Thanks in advance for your response.
@KSmith-ey1se3 жыл бұрын
Does your Answer and Defense in a civil suit suffice as a dispute?
@johngwatts3 жыл бұрын
In my view your answer is the ULTIMATE dispute letter unless you admit to owing the debt. The companies are getting better about marking your credit reports as disputed but they don't always do this after an answer is filed. That's a problem for them and an opportunity for you.....
@blazedavidson60035 жыл бұрын
What if you have medical Bill's sent to collections, and the hospital never sent it to my health isurance, and its past where my health insurance wont pay after 180 days and now I have to go to court
@johngwatts5 жыл бұрын
Blaze, Very frustrating. I'm assuming you are being sued by a collector? You may have a state law that says if not submitted in time, then the debt is gone. You can also submit the bill anyway -- even untimely -- and let Blue Cross (or whoever) deny it. Then you can show that you presented your insurance, the doc/hospital refused to submit to insurance, when you found out you did it, and its too late. I think most judges will be VERY unhappy about this because it is a nightmare we all face. I've gotten bills several years after receiving service from some doc I never heard of. Very common experience. I would also dispute this directly with collector and credit reporting agencies. If you have been sued or just being collected on I would definitely get a consumer lawyer in your state to help you. We have hammered collectors for doing this type of stuff in Alabama -- no one likes this type of medical debt. No. One. Best wishes -- keep us posted on what happens. John
@adamtriv13406 жыл бұрын
Hi John, do you have to send dispute to county clerks office for filing?
@johngwatts6 жыл бұрын
Adam, There are two different things here. One is a dispute letter sent directly to a debt collector. That would not be sent to the clerk's office as this is not involving a lawsuit. Two -- if a debt collector has SUED you, then you need to respond in time and file your response in court -- making sure you follow the rules of the court. So for example, in Alabama, you have 14 days to file an answer if you are sued in District or Small Claims Court. 30 days in Circuit Court. Often people get sued, send a dispute letter to the collector, but never send a response to court and then they get a default judgment against them. So be very careful to distinguish between these two items -- a dispute letter and a response (answer) in court. Let me know if you have any questions or if this is confusing in any way. Thanks for your excellent comment/question. John Watts
@andrewt18407 жыл бұрын
Will this work if the debt has been in collections for a few years? Is there a way to do this if it's passed 30 days?
@johngwatts7 жыл бұрын
Andrew, There are some differences if you send a letter within the first 30 days and then after the first 30 days. But no problem sending it regardless of how long the collector has it. Collector still has to mark your credit report as disputed if they update it after your letter. Here's a sample letter you can send -- www.alabamaconsumer.com/2012/04/simple-letter-debt-collectors/ Regardless of the age, it can help with robo dialed calls to your cell phone, etc. If you have some specific disputes, it can be good to put those in the letter or if not you can leave it with a general dispute. Definitely suggest get with a consumer lawyer in your state to get specific advice but hopefully this helps some. Best wishes! John Watts PS -- if you are in Alabama, call us at 205-879-2447 and we'll be glad to walk you through some options.
@travisvossler4 жыл бұрын
Great video!
@johngwatts4 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@user-em4el6rf5v4 жыл бұрын
what does one particularly do when the debt collector respond with the statements from previous lender statements along with a letter that doesn’t say anything other they will continue to collect debt .
@johngwatts4 жыл бұрын
So you might consider pointing out specific areas of dispute. Is there something on the statement -- interest rate, amount of late fee, etc. that you can dispute. A general dispute letter is good to start and then you can get more specific based on what the collector sends you. Think of it as a tennis match -- going back and forth over the net. Hope that helps! John
@user-em4el6rf5v4 жыл бұрын
Alabama Consumer Protection Lawyers your the man John . sorry I meant to say what if they send the statements as a response to your dispute letter
@TashaudBullock3 жыл бұрын
Do you sign the dispute letter. I hear some credit repair people say do not sign dispute letters
@Suxanes3 жыл бұрын
What happens after it is deleted? Can they still harass me or collect from me?
@johngwatts3 жыл бұрын
Yes to some extent. It is the difference in deleting an account and killing an account. Try this video -- hope it helps! kzfaq.info/get/bejne/b52jnJhevrfZlJs.html
@Valentinathevamp6 жыл бұрын
I wish you were in TX!
@johngwatts6 жыл бұрын
I do like Texas but never took the bar there -- its on my "someday/maybe" list of things to do. My family lives in eastern part of Texas so one day I may get around to it. :) Have a good one! John Watts
@liyahfenty71443 жыл бұрын
this was very helpful, i'm in a unfair situation now where my debt does not match what it shows on credit karma, i really need help i live in marietta, GA about 2 hours away from birmingham alabama and will like to know if you can still take me as a client?
@johngwatts3 жыл бұрын
Liyah, I work with a lawyer in GA who does similar work to me. Shoot me your info at john [at] wattsherring.com or www.alabamaconsumer.com/contact-us/ and I can connect you with him. Thanks! John
@shereepaige2505 жыл бұрын
Can a debt collection agency actually come get your car
@johngwatts5 жыл бұрын
Sheree -- it depends. Two ways to get a car. One is to repossess it. Normally when a collection agency or debt buyer has a car debt, the car has already been repossessed. But I suppose if a debt buyer really bought the debt and the payments were behind, they could repo it. Second -- and more common with debt collectors -- is to get a judgment and then have the sheriff seize the car to sell it. Called a "sheriff's sale" with the money (or at least most of it) going to the person/company with the judgment. Having said all of that it is not likely or common either will happen in Alabama. But it is possible. If the agency says they are just going to take your car because you owe another debt etc. I would ask "How do you have the authority to take my car" -- remember the power of asking questions. Who What When Where How Why Those should be the starting words in your sentences with debt collectors. :) Hope that helps! John
@samueljason84374 жыл бұрын
Is that a real question? If it is for non payment of the car its not an agency. That is called a repo. If you are sued for something else and a judgement is rendered against you(in most states) The can take 25% of your check,take your car, lien or take take your house. Any asset is fair game in most States.
@samueljason84374 жыл бұрын
LOL. Sorry John, I didn't read your response before I posted! Eerily similar!
@kingme61094 жыл бұрын
Hell to the no
@steffylovesmedia77353 жыл бұрын
I don't owe that much money and I don't owe lvnv anything I never borrow from them andy tips
@CastAway20247 жыл бұрын
Thank you
@sarahfleet11694 жыл бұрын
Very informative video! I followed your steps of sending a dispute letter for a hospital bill in august 2019. The dispute fell off my credit report within 30 days. As of today (04/07/2020), a different company added this same debt to my trans-union report. Can I dispute this again? Can you please give me some advise as to what to do? Much appreciated!
@johngwatts4 жыл бұрын
Sarah, I can't give you specific advice without knowing the details but in general yes you can dispute again. I would suggest you dispute with the credit reporting agencies and copy the collector who has put this on your reports. Hopefully that does the trick! Who is the new company on your reports? John
@3rkowtf6696 жыл бұрын
Great advice but what happens next after you sent the dispute letter what usually happens after that?
@johngwatts6 жыл бұрын
After you send the dispute letter, several possibilities. First, and this happens a decent percentage of time especially on smaller debts, older debt, and medical debt. The collector does nothing. No longer collects. This is a valid option for them. Second, the collector "validates" the debt by sending you some info. You can then be satisfied with what is sent or you can request more info by pointing out any problems with what was sent. It can resemble a tennis match going back and forth. My suggestion is to make sure you have a valid reason to go back to the collector which you normally will have. So here is an example -- you send a dispute letter that says "I dispute this debt and send me proof that I owe it." The collector claims to own it and sends you one old monthly statement. You look carefully at the old monthly statement and realize it has your current address on it but you moved there 2 years after the date of the monthly statement. So you dispute -- point out the address is wrong. Ask how that is possible. Ask the supposed debt buyer how it claims to own your debt. Then see how they respond and then you respond if not satisfied. Maybe longer answer than you wanted :) but those are the two major possibilities. You get nothing -- no further collection -- OR you get something in the mail. Then you respond or not depending on what is appropriate. Best wishes John Watts
@3rkowtf6696 жыл бұрын
Alabama Consumer Protection Lawyers Thank you very much. In my case it is a medical bill that I previously received from my local hospital and have proof that it was paid in full and yet collection agency is presenting some imaginary number at almost double the amount, but I’ll just wait for the moment since dispute letter has been sent. Many thanks again.
@johngwatts6 жыл бұрын
Sounds good -- especially since you paid it, kind of hard for them to collect on something not owed. If they don't back down, strongly recommend you get with a consumer protection lawyer in your state to look at suing them. And make sure they have not put this on your credit reports -- again if you owe zero, should not be any collections. Best wishes! John Watts
@johngwatts6 жыл бұрын
Sorry going through this. On two collectors on the same debt here are some thoughts for you. First, it is common for one collector to have an account and then it be switched to a separate account. Second, it is possible to be paying one and the original creditor switches to a different collector. Third, I would send both collectors a letter asking them to explain who you should talk to, who has been getting your money, the balance, etc. Remember to send all letters by certified mail so you can prove they were received. Hope that helps. Best wishes on getting this behind you. John Watts
@yeliii._2 жыл бұрын
@@johngwatts Hi, there is a medical debt collector that sent me a letter saying they received my dispute but need me to call and verify some information, failure to do so would result in me being responsible for the debt. What actions can I take? I feel they are just phishing for information.
@doseanator35 жыл бұрын
Will it always be marked as disputed regardless of how long it will stay on your report?
@johngwatts4 жыл бұрын
So it should stay marked as "disputed" unless you withdraw the dispute. (Sometimes for a mortgage loan etc you can't have disputed accounts so that's why might withdraw dispute). Disputed doesn't make it stay on your report any longer -- negative info typically stays on 7 years from date of the first major delinquency. Hope that helps! John
@doseanator34 жыл бұрын
@@johngwatts Thank you John for that information!
@juangerardopaez61553 жыл бұрын
Good afternoon, I send a dispute letter to the collection agency well it seems to be a lawyer office. never received that green card that you talking about just a package with inf. from the original creditor and most recently went to the civil court to pick up the same or similar package. what to do thanks in advance for your help
@almay99627 жыл бұрын
does disputing a debt reset th statute of limitations?
@johngwatts7 жыл бұрын
Al, Great question. In Alabama it does not. I imagine that is true in every state but this is only for Alabama. The general rule is if you make a payment, this can restart the statute of limitations for a debt collector (debt buyer) to sue you. But not disputing it -- that just alerts the collector that the debt is now disputed and they can send you any information they want to answer your dispute. Hope this helps and thanks again for your very good question. John Watts
@kingme61094 жыл бұрын
Hi John now would if The Lawyers representing the Discover card mail u the copied proof of Debt how do I no it’s real and what do I do next
@johngwatts4 жыл бұрын
So you have to compare what they sent with you with other info you have. Your copies of statements. Your credit reports, etc. If you have doubts, you can let the lawyers know and they may or may not answer your questions. If kind of stuck, get with a consumer lawyer in your state -- www.consumeradvocates.org/find-an-attorney -- to give you some advice. Best wishes John
@t197219976 жыл бұрын
So are you talking about debt buyers or 3rd Party Contingency
@johngwatts6 жыл бұрын
TJ, I'm talking about debt buyers who claim to purchase defaulted debts and also collection agencies (debt collectors) who don't claim to own the debt but instead are simply collecting on it. "3rd Party Contingency" -- tell me what you mean by this term. I have seen folks use that term to describe normal collection agencies but then sometimes it is used to mean a third party finances the litigation for the "Plaintiff" (the one suing) and then shares in the recovery. This video is not talking about anyone financing litigation but I don't know how you mean that term 3rd party contingency. Thanks for your comment! John Watts
@t197219976 жыл бұрын
Contingency as in they don’t get paid unless you pay your debt
@johngwatts6 жыл бұрын
TJ -- gotcha. That would be a normal debt collector. So they make money when they collect the debt. Same would be true of collection lawyers -- they make money when they get you to pay. And in a sense, even debt buyers -- assuming they really own the debt -- they make money when you pay. Anyone who is a debt collector under the FDCPA (Fair Debt Collection Practices Act) you can send a dispute letter to in order to dispute the debt and ask for certain information. Best wishes John Watts
@Thebasden14 жыл бұрын
Hi John, question for you. Before I send out this letter to the debt collector, do I have to wait until it's on my credit report? One collection agency had it, put it on my credit report, and then removed the collection, and now another company has it, and it isn't on my credit report yet, but I did receive the letter from the new company.
@johngwatts4 жыл бұрын
Judith, I would go ahead and send the letter to them. That way IF they report, they must show it as disputed. If they don't mark it as disputed AFTER they know you dispute, that normally is a violation of 1692e(8). This video might be helpful -- talks about 1692e including subsection 8 which directly deals with marking your account as "disputed" -- kzfaq.info/get/bejne/f9WiZJSq27LVYoE.html Hope that helps and keep me posted what happens thanks! John
@Thebasden14 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much! Will do!
@hungkiet75355 жыл бұрын
The debts collector record my father voice and send me a letter telling me to pay the minimum 253.00 dollars every months until pay in full for the amount of 3,050.46 what should I do?
@johngwatts5 жыл бұрын
I don't understand your question -- they recorded your father's voice doing what? Saying he agreed to the debt or something else? As far as whether you should pay the debt, I simply don't know. Do you owe the debt? Does the debt collector own the debt? Or has it been hired by the company that owns the debt? How old is it? Is it beyond the time period they can sue you? What state are you in -- each state has different laws. As far as whether you should pay a debt or not you really need a lawyer in your state to look at your individual situation and give you specific advice. Best wishes John Watts
@hungkiet75355 жыл бұрын
Alabama Consumer Protection Lawyers They tell me to put my father on phone so they can record my father voice but he agree to pay the minninum payment but not $ 253.00 very month they trick my father to said yes as an agreement and the collector on the phone add for every month,I’m falling into their bait,should I write them letter adjust the minimun payment?
@hungkiet75355 жыл бұрын
Alabama Consumer Protection Lawyers My father own Sear mastercard gold card I believe Sears sell it to the collectors,the debt is about 1 year,I take advice from an attorney to settle this debts but my father is overreacted he’s afraid about the debts mess and court things so I have to find another way to reslove this debt. Thank you
@johngwatts5 жыл бұрын
I would definitely get with a lawyer if you have a debt collector lying or tricking your father. It may be that he can sue these guys under federal law (FDCPA) or your state unfair and deceptive practices act. Best wishes John Watts
@lawrencebriscoe68404 жыл бұрын
Hey John W. I have 2 charge off with CAPTIAL one ($1000)($2800) iam paying monthly to a in house debt collector Nathan and Nathan AL, I want to negotiate a settlement it's a 4 years old account what a good settlement price to settle tks you for your advice
@johngwatts4 жыл бұрын
Lawrence -- if you are in AL contact me and we'll go over your options. 205-879-2447 -- ask for Carolyn and give her the info on your accounts and she'll set us up a call thanks. John
@scars5164 жыл бұрын
Hello I want to dispute with a cc company the account was opened with a misspelling in the name all documents came in with the wrong spelling of the account holders name is there a way this will be easily disputed because they failed to write the correct spelling of account holder name
@Xtinaa00803 жыл бұрын
What's the green card?
@johngwatts3 жыл бұрын
When do certified mail you can get a physical green card mailed back to you with the signature. Now this is usually just done electronically -- I think the video is about ten years old. :) Back in the day we always got the green card back.... Now we just do it electronically. John
@Xtinaa00803 жыл бұрын
@@johngwatts thanks for that. Maybe you can help answer my question. Basically I sold an iPhone on PayPal and they gave me a different address to send it to (yes now that I look back I should’ve realized it was a scam) but I sent the iPhone out then closed my account since I never use PayPal and didn’t see a point in having it. The buyer I guess had filed a dispute saying he never received the item and I only got one email from PayPal alerting me of this and since my account was closed I called PayPal and asked them what my options are and explained my situation since ir wouldn’t let me respond to the dispute through a closed account. The rep told me to not worry and since my account is closed nothing could happen. Well I just got a letter in the mail from a collections agency asking for the $385 back. So not only did I lose an iPhone but they want my money now. I haven’t received any other notices besides this letter and now idk what to do. Do you have any advice for me?
@crosshawk19446 жыл бұрын
Hi John, I did send a dispute letter to debt collector. They sent me old credit card statements and my credit card agreement (creditor: Amex). According to your videos cc statements and cc agreement cannot be proof documents, right?
@johngwatts6 жыл бұрын
Crosshawk, It depends on the situation. If you are sued in Alabama, most judges would not accept just the credit card statements and the cardholder agreement as proof that a debt collector now owns the debt. They would want to see some proof of ownership -- the bill of sale, the purchase agreement (contract selling the debt to the collector/buyer), etc. But if we are outside the context of a lawsuit, and you simply get a collection letter and send a dispute letter -- what has to be sent to you? Often, just the credit card statement and agreement. Now if your dispute gets more detailed -- "Hey, I don't think you own this debt -- send me proof of ownership" the collector (if it is claiming it owns the debt) must send you more proof. To get back to your question about "proof documents" it depends on what we are asking them to prove and the context (in or out of court). Hope that helps John Watts
@crosshawk19446 жыл бұрын
Alabama Consumer Protection Lawyers Hi John, Thank you very much for your response. I live in Upstate New York. I sent a sample dispute letter (from your website) to debt collector. “I dispute owing any debt to your company. If you think I owe any debt to your company, please send me whatever you can in writing showing me that I owe any debt to your company...” 26 days after my certified mail I received a letter, enclosed previous credit card statements and credit card agreement (creditor) from debt collector. Their letter states that “ We are writing in response to a debt validation request we received concerning Amex account referenced above. As requested we are sending copies of statements and any other relevant documentation to serve as validation of debt...” First of all I requested debt validation between me and ABC debt collector. I believe that cc statements and agreement do not validate debt ownership to ABC collector. Would you suggest me to write them follow up letter regarding more proof? They couldnt validate debt ownership but they thought they did. I appreciate your response sir. Regards,
@johngwatts6 жыл бұрын
Crosshawk, Do get with a consumer lawyer in upstate NY -- each state is different. So here's the concept of validation letter. A creditor reaches out to you -- no validation rights as it is your creditor. The assumption is you know this company. But when a debt collector pops up out of the blue, it makes sense that you can write to them to validate the debt. So what they do is show you proof that the debt is valid and owed. The normal way is to send you credit card statements etc. Now if you specifically request more, you may get more in response. Think of the validation letter and the response as mirror images. If your dispute letter/validation letter is pretty general, you will get a general response back. But if you know that you paid off the debt on May 5, 2016 with check number #1234, you put that in the letter. Now this is a very specific dispute letter. Their validation must match the specificity of your letter -- they better address whether the debt was paid off on May 5 with check number #1234 etc. The starting point if you don't know anything else is the general letter you sent. But now you can respond with more details -- you can ask them if they own the debt? Or who they are collecting it on behalf of. If they claim to own it, you might ask for the proof of ownership (be careful -- you may be helping them get ready to prove their case if they sue you). Definitely get with a lawyer in your state as you may have unique rules or customs about this process. The FDCPA (Fair Debt Collection Practices Act) is federal and applies to every state but frankly judges interpret it differently so you need to know for your area what is happening -- what is acceptable or not acceptable. Best wishes! John PS -- a good starting place to find a lawyer is www.consumeradvocates.org/find-an-attorney
@Who635 жыл бұрын
@@johngwatts Sometimes the people in debt cannot afford a lawyer otherwise we would be paying off our debts.
@Who635 жыл бұрын
Alongside my $20,000 debt, a creditor told me they sent a $270.00 debt to Kolkata India! I have it written down by them. Now India knows my info! I don't understand. AND Calvary collections put on my credit report I opened an account with them...huh??????? I never did that!
@johngwatts5 жыл бұрын
Davina, No idea on the India thing. Cavalry is claiming they now own a debt of yours so that's why they are on your credit report. If you dispute the debt, they will need to tell the credit reporting agencies to mark the Cavalry debt as disputed. At least in Alabama Cavalry files a lot of lawsuits so be mindful of that. Best wishes John Watts
@Who635 жыл бұрын
@@johngwatts Yes sir I understand what it means now but still don't know how to handle it and I don't expect you to tell me because that is what a consult is for right? But I live no where you are. So...
@johngwatts5 жыл бұрын
I would call a consumer lawyer in your state -- there should be no charge to chat about your situation and options. Try this for a starting point -- www.consumeradvocates.org/find-an-attorney Best wishes! John Watts
@PiggyPickem6 жыл бұрын
Greetings. Should I notarize the letter?
@Valentinathevamp6 жыл бұрын
martysturgis. Notary is unnecessary. That’s why you have that green receipt from the post office
@PiggyPickem6 жыл бұрын
Thank You.
@mrerschroeder8 жыл бұрын
I have been getting calls from a debt collector and have said several times that I need the debt verified and they just keep reading thing of the CC bills… asking for verification is that the same as disputing or do I need to use those very words. I have not sent a letter because I have not received one from them. just today I only got the name of the company. they say they want email and will email but I refused that. was that foolish?
@johngwatts8 жыл бұрын
I don't think it is foolish -- I suggest you make them mail you a letter. The scam type places love email and hate using the postal system. So always ask for a letter is what I advise my clients. Then I think it makes sense to send a dispute letter to see what they have. Do they only have credit card statements? That doesn't prove anything in my opinion other than they have credit card statements. You should also check with a lawyer in your state as there may be some unusual rules or good laws that can help you. Best wishes! John Watts
@mrerschroeder8 жыл бұрын
John, Thanks! Thats what I have done. I have requested several times (maybe 20) that they send me a letter and I refuse the email. Of course, they insist they have sent me several letters but one has yet to arrive in my mail box. their answer to that is, they don't control the mail, and they can't help it if I don't check my mail, or I toss it in the garbage…they also explain that when it goes to court they have all the notes that they did send the letters. after all this I did a little looking into these guys and have discovered that they are a small shell company owned by a law firm. I have also discovered a blog from a former employee who explained that the owner of the law firm after makes collections calls. Guess what? the guy i talk to more often than not is the owner. What I find interesting is, when he calls me, he uses his real name ( by law he has to) but the name of his firm is that of another name. I moved forward and sent certified mail a verification letter with several demands/requests one of which is the proof they are licensed and or bonded in my state to practice law. I did this because they continuosly threaten me with a lawsuit. something they can't do unless they have the intention to actually sue. If they are not licensed or bonded in my state that proves they are just making threats which I believe is illegal…. as far as what they actually have, all I know of at this point is the CC statements and personal info like SS# something which they have no problem tossing around as though that isn't sensitive info… during my last conversation, they guy was very polite, he even said that it is very possible that another latter has not been sent that he would know for sure because he has no control over that department. he is the owner of the company, shouldn't he have control over all departments? he also said, that I was sent an original letter either from the collection agency or from the CC- he couldn't confirm… I think ( could be wrong) the collection agency MUST contact me by mail. No? Its not enough that the CC contacted me… All in all this is very new to me and I am trying my best. oh yeah, one last thing, there is nothing on my credit reports about this or the collection company. odd isn't it? thanks for the help and input!!! I appreciate all the help can get.
@johngwatts8 жыл бұрын
What a crazy situation! Lots of these little places out there that act goofy. Once they speak with you they have to mail you a letter. Now its true you don't have to receive the letter -- they just have to mail it. But no legit collector has ever refused to send another letter if your request is reasonable. Its these either scam (or semi scam) places that hate sending letters. Get with a lawyer in your state and you might also report them to the CFPB in Washington DC -- I think they would be interested in a lawyer pulling these types of shenanigans.... Keep us posted! John Watts
@mrerschroeder8 жыл бұрын
Alabama Consumer Protection Lawyers John, I sent a letter certified mail and since have not heard a pepp from them. This could mean one of two things, its the quiet before the storm (lawsuit) or they realized they crossed a line and I won't go easy. time will tell.
@johngwatts8 жыл бұрын
You are right on time will tell. But for most folks it is best to send the letter and see what they will do. I've never heard of a place that was not going to sue suddenly deciding to sue because you send a certified mail letter. Keep us posted and hopefully you'll never hear from these guys again.
@Angelica-zz5nt4 жыл бұрын
am i liable to pay the debt collectors once they “buy out my debt”. i’ve heard many times that once a debt is outsourced it can be disputed. also, do you recommend emailing the debt collectors or mailing a physical letter?
@yeb79974 жыл бұрын
Mail them
@ArtistIrinaSharie4 жыл бұрын
I believe, that aspect was addressed/covered; search through his previous posts.
@pinkconfidantp2me9123 жыл бұрын
No you are not liable it is no longer in your name if a company buys it you are set free and now can Wright the creditor and ask that they prove you owe it and you don't
@truecritic16405 жыл бұрын
Who do u send the actual dispute letters to? Experian,Equifax or Trans Union?? Or the Original Creditors?!
@johngwatts5 жыл бұрын
Lilana, Great question. If related to credit reporting, and an original creditor (not a debt collector) then you need to send your dispute letter to the credit reporting agencies. You may also want to send a copy to the original creditor. If you ONLY send it to the original creditor, then not really anything you can do when they don't fix it. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires that you send the dispute to the credit reporting agencies who then contact the original creditor (the one who "furnished" the information to Equifax, ect). We normally send a copy of the letter to the original creditor also just so they will see it and can't say the reporting agencies didn't give them enough info. So our letters look like this: Nationstar Equifax Experian TransUnion Innovis Dear Sir or Madam, xxxx Its one letter that goes to each of these guys. Now it can be different with debt collectors -- see this video kzfaq.info/get/bejne/gLh6fLJ-18XXaZs.html. Let me know if this answers your question and remember to always get with a consumer protection lawyer in your state to get actual legal advice. Thanks for your comment! John Watts
@truecritic16405 жыл бұрын
Alabama Consumer Protection Lawyers Yes it does! Thank You so much!
@truecritic16405 жыл бұрын
Alabama Consumer Protection Lawyers I wanna know do I send the dispute letters to All three or who Evers reporting it?
@johngwatts5 жыл бұрын
I send a letter to whoever is reporting it -- so check all of them to see who all is reporting is my suggestion. John
@konmensh37954 жыл бұрын
What the heck is the green card?
@johngwatts4 жыл бұрын
Certified mail receipt that shows the person you sent the letter to actually signed it. You get a physical card back in the mail to you.
@Acts4thekingdom446 жыл бұрын
Hey! When your sending a dispute letter , do you send the same one to all 3 Credit bureaus or Just that one that's showing the in inaccuracy?
@johngwatts6 жыл бұрын
Great question -- this video is really about a letter to the debt collector directly. Not a letter to the credit reporting agencies (bureaus). This is a dispute letter under the FDCPA (Fair Debt Collection Practices Act). If there is false information on your credit report and you want to dispute with the bureaus, then that's a different letter. You might like this video where we discuss this some -- kzfaq.info/get/bejne/od93mcuSzrXXqnU.html To answer your question specifically, let's say Equifax has false information about my Bank of America account. But TransUnion and Experian do not. Then I would normally only send a dispute letter to the one that has the false information. (There are exceptions if you think the others are about to report false info, etc). Hope this helps and you can get the false information cleaned up. I am planning on doing a longer webinar style video where we go over credit reports and how to fix errors so feel free to subscribe so you'll get a notification of that video. It's on my to do list which is a little long right now but I'm getting closer. :) Thanks for your comment! John Watts
@Acts4thekingdom446 жыл бұрын
Alabama Consumer Protection Lawyers when disputing is it better to send to the collector or the Credit Bureau
@johngwatts6 жыл бұрын
Here's the way we typically handle it. Any communication from a debt collector, we look at sending a dispute letter directly to the debt collector. That puts some obligation on the collector to let us know what information/evidence they have. If we already know we don't owe the debt (already paid it -- beat the collector at trial, etc) then we normally will do a dispute to the credit reporting agencies. So you can think of the direct letter to the collector as somewhat defensive -- "show me what you have" and the letter to the credit bureaus as more on the offense because we already have the proof to show this should not be on our reports. Hope that makes sense and I'll also do a video on this as I think you have brought up a great question. Thanks! John Watts
@Acts4thekingdom446 жыл бұрын
Alabama Consumer Protection Lawyers thank you so much ! When you have an old debt which has past it's limitation... is that consisted unverifiable incomplete or inaccurate. How do I word it .
@johngwatts6 жыл бұрын
You are very welcome! Here's a video about your first question -- hope it helps a bit. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/m7ekntepzbeWf5s.html Two types of limitations -- time period to sue (statute of limitations) and time period to report on your credit reports. If it is past statute of limitations -- this does not automatically mean it can't be reported or it is unverifiable. It just means can't sue on it and if they collect they have to be very careful not to break the rules. If too late to credit report (basically 7 years from major default), then it shouldn't be on your reports at all. If it is, this is called "re-aging" where they change the default date so it can stay on longer. Best wishes! John Watts
@papito009667 жыл бұрын
i send the letter validation and they send back only old staments of my credit card what can i do now
@johngwatts7 жыл бұрын
If it is a more "generic" dispute letter, that may be all they have to do as far as mailing you stuff. Still have to update your credit report (if they are reporting) to show debt is "disputed". Now if you have a specific type dispute, you can let them know. Here are some examples: 1. I paid this off -- here is the proof. 2. You have the wrong account balance -- here is the proof -- investigate this. 3. I've received two collection letters from two different collectors at same time -- I dispute you have the right to collect this debt. Please explain. Look at what they sent you -- do those records look accurate? If have any questions, send them in to the collector. Definitely get with a collection lawyer in your state to get specific advice. Hope the general thoughts above are helpful. Best wishes to you. John Watts
@Valentinathevamp6 жыл бұрын
jacinto60. If you have a letter validating that there is no debt, depending on the amount they say you owe, take them to the small claims court in THERE city. Hopefully they have an office in your state so you don’t have to fly all over the place. The clerk of court has a fill in blank form that self explanatory. Court cost with them being served is usually under $200 in all. Make sure you request very clearly that you want the debt removed and all you court fees reimbursed. Ask for other monies but make sure you do not exceed small claims amount. I sued the original debtor and collection agency. I won, however I was only awarded court costs. My flight, hotel, car rental, missing work... nothing. It seems like the Court themselves hate a literate person beating an attorney, two attorneys. I got it off my credit but it cost me about 3K AND I couldn’t rent for about a year. Turned my world upside down and court just says “she right, I believe her, but any other costs but court fees is ridiculous. She didn’t have to sue”. The ironic thing is, if I had lost, I would have had to pay both attorneys fees as punishment. Damned if you win, damned if you lose, choose your battle wisely.
@Christopher417914 жыл бұрын
Don't listen to this Fool, When a "Creditor' Sells, for Pennies on the Dollar, your Written Contract to any collection Agency, without your Knowledge or Consent, Furthermore, without Agreeing to any Terms or Conditions, they released your obligation(s) to the Creditor. Your "No" longer in Debt, with the Creditor, because they failed to work with your or take you into Court for their money. ( Note: There is also, another important & Serious situation, you should know, the Creditor / Collection Agency, depending on the "State" you live in, has a "Time-Limit", in order to Collect ; such Funds from You....! Example : Florida has a ( 5 ) Year Limitation & after that time period, they can "Not" Persuade you , any Further......Please Note : You Folks do have Rights...….!
@johngwatts4 жыл бұрын
You are right there is a statute of limitations that limits how long a company has to sue. As far as your argument that you are released from your obligation to a creditor when it is sold, that is correct. You no longer owe the creditor. But you do owe the collector IF they have truly bought the debt. At least this is true in AL where I live -- literally hundreds of these cases are filed every day in court. Maybe different where you live but here, debt collectors who buy a debt can sue. Now it is very possible to beat these guys and that's what we do. And I agree with you that consumers have rights and should learn those rights and take action. Have a nice day John
@CastAway20247 жыл бұрын
experian says they need this info below,is this true? Your date of birth Your Social Security number All addresses where you have lived during the past two years One copy of a government issued identification card, such as a driver’s license or state ID card, etc. One copy of a utility bill, bank or insurance statement, etc.
@johngwatts7 жыл бұрын
So here's the deal. Experian does have the right to make sure it is you. BUT. They tend to make it hard to try to avoid having to actually investigate. For example, we have sent all the info to them and they send the same form letter saying they need exactly what we sent them. Our practice is to send it and if they investigate, great. If they don't, we sometimes send it again and then sue when they won't investigate. Or we just sue. Its absurd in my opinion how Experian handles this -- much more difficult than Trans Union or Equifax as far getting someone to even remotely look at the dispute. But when we sue them, that gets their attention. :) My advice is get with a lawyer in your state but most likely you just need to follow their rules and then when they violate the law, you sue them. Hope this helps! John Watts