How
Can You Help Yourself? (Part II of IV)
If you are already dealing with debt collectors it is a good idea to read up
on the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act so that you know your rights. They
cannot call you before 8 am, and they cannot call you after 9 pm. They
cannot call you at work if they have been told you cannot get calls there,
and they cannot harass you in any way. They can’t lie or threaten you, and
they must stop contacting you if you send a letter stating such.
With auto loans and mortgages it gets a little trickier because these are
secured debts. With unsecured ones there is little recourse except for
court. With secured, they can take your home or car – whichever it is that
you are not paying on. They can foreclose on your home or repossess your
car, so it really is in your best interest to keep the lines of
communication open with them.
With a mortgage your lender can usually put debt on the end of the loan, or
they can put you in contact with a housing counseling agency that will help
you out as well. There are funds and means available; you just have to know
where to look.
You don’t even have to wait for your mortgage company to give you the
information. You can find info on companies that help you with getting
control of your mortgage on the FTC website, as well as a simple search on
the web. The Housing Authority is also a good place to look for assistance
with your mortgage debt.
Next time: Getting professional help
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