Debt collectors don’t want you to know the secrets of the lengths they will go to collect information about you in their attempt to collect a debt. If you’ve been contacted by a debt collector, you may have a temptation to just ignore it – and some people even try run and hide. But in today’s plugged-in Information Age, it’s virtually impossible to hide from a debt collector. Debt collectors will use every means at their disposable to collect their debts – after all, they get paid a commission on what they collect, and the world of personal information is at their fingertips. If you think you can hide from a debt collector, think again.

Here are some secrets that debt collectors will use find you:

• Employing the data mining industry. Data mining companies find (“mine”), buy and sell consumer data. Data mining is used build lists for targeted marketing purposes and credit reporting. Debt collectors can purchase that information, too.
• Contacting family and neighbors. Using a former address, they’ll find out the names, addresses, and phone numbers of your friends and neighbors, and will get to work calling them to find you.
• Using social networking sites. Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, and other networking communities are gold mines of personal information. Your social profile can tell a debt collector where you work, who your friends and colleagues are, clubs you belong to, activities you participate in, the names of your spouse and children, and so forth. If you have an open page, your information is available to the world.
• Pretending that they’re an old friend looking to touch base again. Using information they’ve found from any of the above sources, they’ll call an unsuspecting employer, friend, neighbor, or family member. The person on the other end of the phone feels like they’re helping two old friends get back together and gives them your cell phone number, work number or home number, new address, and/or email address.

The surprising thing about these techniques is that they are all considered legal practices. As long as the debt collector doesn’t disclose that they are collecting a debt to the third party, they can act like (but not state that they are) an old friend. And a debt collector can contact you at your office, until you tell them otherwise.

It’s best to deal with debt collectors rather than to avoid them. Before you speak directly to them, visit the Debt Collection Information Center to learn your rights so you can spot illegal behavior, and get some guidance on how to deal with the collector.

If you’re being harassed or abused by a debt collector, or if they’ve misrepresented their identity, you are entitled to compensation because they have broken the law. Lemberg & Associates attorneys are dedicated to stopping debt collectors from using harassing and abusive techniques. If they cross the line into we’ll help you get the justice you deserve.