How to answer when the debt collector calls

Question: Recently, a collector called me about an unpaid debt from 2002. She threatened to garnish my husband’s wages by 25 percent and “1099” us when we file our taxes. She said we could settle by paying $1,500 immediately. I’m very concerned. This debt predated our marriage, so it should only belong to me.

— Ericka

Answer: The collector is way off base. A few choice words from you should send her packing and keep your past in the past.

First, it appears that you are being contacted by an agency that specializes in buying and collecting old debt. The debt is purchased for pennies on the dollar, so any amount that is collected is typically a win for the company. Sometimes these companies will use scare tactics in attempting to collect. And equally often they lack detailed documentation of the debt because it’s been sold and resold many times over time. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act says that a debt isn’t collectible without written validation of the debt. If you ask for that validation and the debt collector doesn’t have it, then she must go away.

The 1099 form threat is a hollow one, too. A 1099 form is a tax form that is issued when a debt is forgiven. Debt collectors normally don’t forgive debts. They usually resell them at a discount. Threatening to issue a 1099 instead of turning a small profit gets the collector nothing and doesn’t make much sense.

As for garnishing your husband’s wages, you can forget about it. You weren’t married when the debt was incurred, so he is in no way responsible. His wages cannot be garnished.

I recommend that you either ignore the phone calls from the collector or explain to the next person who calls that you are aware of your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Tell the collector that you will not be discussing the debt until you receive written validation.