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Does anyone else get their adult A child's messages from bill collectors left on their own home phone and letters from the A daughter's bill collectors sent to their home?
I have asked my daughter to contact her creditors and give them her OWN address and phone number (she never did). It is possible the bill collectors have found out we are relatives and are cIntacting us on their own.
I really don't know if the calls are legitimate, but my A daughter doesn't care to bother to follow up with contacting them to clear up the bill is
I tried mailing them on to my A daughter, or sending her a text letting her know that so and so law office left another message etc) , but I still get letters about once a week and phone calls many times a week.
My only solution has been to not answer my phone but it is aggravating to have these intrusive calls coming in all the time ( have to delete the voice mails and call records from my phone history).
Ideas?
Unless you have cosigned or guaranteed any of her bills or debts there's no reason for you to have to take calls or receive mail on her behalf. I have had a similar issue and all you need to do is tell each company, when they call you, that you will not take any more calls regarding the matter which doesn't concern you and demand then and there that they remove your phone number and details from their database and confirm for you that they have done it. If they ask for a phone number or address for your daughter you can simply say that you have not heard from her in some time, or give them her number and address, whatever you feel comfortable with. Legally they have no right to harass you for her debt and if you are firm with them they will stop.
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If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see? (Lewis Caroll)
I have never signed for any debt.
One time I told the caller I was not the person they were looking for and that person didn't live at this number so to not call anymore, and they said they had a right to try to collect their debt.
I have had success with just giving the agency the person's real address and phone number. You shouldn't have to be bothered with this stuff. There are laws about harassing people which the collection agencies often violate. I imagine you can look up the laws in your area and report the agency if they're violating them.
In similar situation with BIL owing money, we told creditors he didn't live there anymore and we didn't know where he was, which was the truth. They will try to harass you, hoping that you will either give them an address or offer to pay for the debtor. Just keep telling them to go away and eventually they will figure you aren't worth their time. Fortunately you have detachment tools and can keep from enabling their bad behaviors, treating them like an alcoholic basically. Except you can detach without love with these characters :)
Boy I relate completely to call after call from my sons creditors. He's not lived here in 3 years! My reply to them is this "He hasn't lived here in 3 years, this is NOT a good contact number and if you find him, have him call his mother!". I have a background in collections so I know my rights and the LAWS the creditors must follow. If you want to brush up on your rights, especially since these are not your bills, look up The Fair Debt Collection Act. You daughter didn't necessarily give your number out but if collectors can't find her they will do a search (skip trace), it's legal and they can see every place she's ever lived, worked etc. So if they see your address they make the assumption you are the parent and think you may be at the very least someone who will give her a message. They will keep calling until to tell them to stop. So tell them you are not a good contact person and tell them to take your number out of their system. They must comply!! If your daughter actually did give your number out to them. Still tell them to stop but they may ask you to send that request in writing. They should give you 30 days to comply with that request but they should not be calling during that 30 days. Even further they can and often will even contact your neighbors, they can find them in doing their search. In no way can they speak to anyone but your daughter about why they are calling but they can ask your neighbors if they have seen your daughter or know of her living at your home. I know that's a lot to take in, so when you start to try to get rid of these collection calls take notes on day & time of call, the collectors name or ID (they must give it to you) make a note and tell them you are making the note of No Contact. If they continue to contact you disregarding your order keep a note of day, time, person. You could have a lawsuit against them if they do not abide by the law. I hope that helps, I know what a pain it is. Prayers your way!
