How To Beat Bonneville Collections If They’re Calling and Harassing Me
Dealing with debt collectors is stressful. Getting constant calls from Bonneville Collections can feel overwhelming and scary. But you have rights and options. This article will walk you through practical steps to get Bonneville Collections to stop calling and harassing you.
First Steps When Bonneville Collections Contacts You
If Bonneville Collections starts calling, take a deep breath. I know it’s annoying and frustrating, but losing your cool won’t help. Start by getting clear on the situation:
-- Do you actually owe the debt? Verify the debt is legitimately yours. Debt collectors sometimes try to collect on wrong or very old debts.
- How much do you owe? Get clarity on the amount they say you owe.
- Note dates and times of calls. Documenting details will help if you need to report them.
Once you’ve got basic facts, assess your options.
How To Get Bonneville Collections To Stop Calling
If you want the calls to stop, send Bonneville Collections a cease and desist letter. This tells them to stop contacting you. There are templates online you can use.Be sure to:
- Send the letter certified mail with return receipt. This proves you sent it.
- Keep a copy for your records.
- Give them 30 days to comply.
- If calls continue after 30 days, resend the letter. Mention calls have continued despite your previous letter.
Calling after receiving a cease and desist letter violates the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). This allows you to report Bonneville to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and potentially sue them.So why might Bonneville keep calling despite your cease and desist letter? Unfortunately some collectors ignore the rules and keep harassing people illegally. If this happens, you’ll need to get assertive.
What To Do If Bonneville Collections Ignores Your Cease And Desist Letter
If Bonneville Collections keeps calling after your cease and desist letter, they are breaking the law. You have options to fight back:
-Report Them To The FTC
File an official complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This can trigger an investigation and fines for Bonneville Collections.
- Go to FTC.gov and click “Submit a Complaint”.
- Choose “Debt collection” as the complaint category and provide details.
- List dates and times of calls. Include any recordings or documentation.
The more evidence you submit, the more likely the FTC will penalize them.
Consult A Consumer Law Attorney
Speak with a consumer protection lawyer about suing Bonneville Collections for breaking debt collection laws. Violating your cease and desist letter makes them liable under the FDCPA.You can potentially win up to $1,000 plus legal fees. Many lawyers work on contingency in these cases, taking their fee from your winnings. So consulting a lawyer often costs nothing upfront.Look for lawyers on Avvo.com or NOLO.com. See the National Association of Consumer Advocates (NACA) for options too.
Strategies To Get Bonneville Collections To Settle Your Debt
If you actually owe the debt and want to resolve it, you can try negotiating. Collectors often settle debts for less than the full amount.
- Get any deal in writing first. Don’t send money until you have a written “payment in full” settlement agreement. This legally prevents them from trying to collect more later.
- Pay lump sums when possible. Offering to pay a large portion at once can motivate them to settle. Waiting to pay monthly gives them incentive to keep collecting interest.
- Mention bankruptcy. Let them know you’re considering bankruptcy. They may take a smaller settlement to ensure some payment.
- Consult credit counseling agencies. Non-profits like the National Foundation for Credit Counseling help people negotiate debt settlements all the time. Their assistance puts pressure on collectors.
The key is staying calm and firm. Don’t let Bonneville Collections intimidate you into accepting a bad deal. Politely say you’ll think about offers and hang up. This projects confidence and gives you time to assess options.Above all, get everything in writing before sending payment. And consult lawyers or financial experts to review agreements before signing.
-What To Do If You Can’t Afford To Pay Bonneville Collections
If there’s simply no way to pay, don’t panic. Let Bonneville Collections know you have no ability to pay at this time. Then discuss options:
- Request verification of the debt. Collectors must provide written proof it’s your debt. This at least pauses calls while they pull documentation.
- Submit a hardship letter. Detail your financial situation preventing payment. Emphasize unemployment, medical problems or low income. Collectors may delay aggressive collection efforts.
- Discuss payment plans. If eventually able to pay small amounts over time, propose this. Get any plan in writing before sending funds.
- Consult credit counseling services. Non-profits help people prioritize and negotiate debt based on ability to pay. They communicate with collectors so you don’t have to.
The bottom line is staying calm. I know harassing calls create anxiety. But losing your temper or ignoring the problem only makes things worse. Breathe deeply and know you have rights. Educate yourself on protections under consumer protection laws.Arm yourself with knowledge on how to verify debts, stop calls, negotiate settlements and seek legal help when needed. You can get through this difficult situation. The stress of constant calls will end. Just take it step by step.Hopefully this gives you a game plan for dealing with Bonneville Collections. And remember – you’ve got this! Their aggressive tactics can feel intimidating, but thousands of people handle situations like this every day. So take a deep breath, grab a cup of tea, and start tackling the problem calmly and strategically.