Is it illegal to lie to a debt collector?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Is it illegal to lie to a debt collector? (Page 1 of 6)

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:44:34 PM EDT

I've got a debt collector calling me. It's a zombie debt - like 15 years old.

I've told them the statute of limitations has expired and to stop calling me, but they keep on. I know I could send them a cease and desist letter and I also know I could sue them for illegal debt collections. I'm not going to do either, though.

Can I get in trouble for lying to them? I'd like to start telling them stories. Maybe that I've won the lottery. Maybe that I'm a male prostitute who is getting older and not making as much money. I could be hooked on drugs or drunk every time they call. Maybe my dog just died and I need a shoulder to cry on. The point is that it all would be blatant lies.

Is it illegal?

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:45:39 PM EDT

[#1]

you can tell them anything you want, just don't send any money. If you send even a cent the debt become active again.

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:45:51 PM EDT

[#2]

Dave's not here man

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:46:16 PM EDT

[#3]

Bill collectors exist because there are liars in the world.

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:46:19 PM EDT

[#4]

Why would it be illegal?

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:47:19 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
Bill collectors exist because there are liars in the world.

No argument.

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:47:19 PM EDT

[#6]

No it is not; they lie all the time.

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:47:36 PM EDT

[#7]

Fuck em, who cares if its illegal or not?

And I highly doubt it is.

You want to stop them fast, tell them after they have been particularly nasty that you recorded the conversation, and you are taking it to your states attorney general, because if you can prove abuse, they MUST pay a large fine, and if you catch them doing it, and prove to the owners that an agent did, they will send you a check immediately, because they don't want the shit storm from an AG.

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:47:36 PM EDT

[#8]

If you keep talking to them they will keep calling.

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:47:50 PM EDT

[#9]

I tell people like that I'm a male nurse.
Never hear from them again.

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:47:55 PM EDT

[#10]

Of course not.

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:48:01 PM EDT

[#11]

You can lie to him just like he will lie to you. "No Ingles."

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:48:48 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
you can tell them anything you want, just don't send any money. If you send even a cent the debt become active again.

Play close attention to this.

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:49:00 PM EDT

[#13]

Pay The Debt?

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:49:16 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
Bill collectors exist because there are liars in the world.

That is a damned profound quote.

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:49:32 PM EDT

[#15]

I pay my bills so I wouldn't know nor would I need to.

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:49:56 PM EDT

[#16]

Here is a thought....Pay your fucking debts.

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:50:00 PM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:
I tell people like that I'm a male nurse.
Never hear from them again.

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:50:09 PM EDT

[#18]

Tell the truth. What is the bill for?

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:50:20 PM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:
I've told them the statute of limitations has expired

Eh? That's for criminal matters.

If it's a legitimate debt, why not make them an offer? Settle, get it all in writing, feel good about yourself, etc.

To answer your question: no, I'm sure it isn't illegal to lie to them.

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:50:28 PM EDT

[#20]

Or, just pay the damn debt... old or not.

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:50:43 PM EDT

[#21]

How much is the debt?

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:50:58 PM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:
I pay my bills so I wouldn't know nor would I need to.

Oh boy do you have alot to learn.

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:51:18 PM EDT

[#23]

Did you fufill your debt?

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:51:22 PM EDT

[#24]

If you owe the money, just pay it.

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:52:35 PM EDT

[#25]

I was a debt collector for a few months, it is not illegal. I had a great time doing it too but I got a better offer and moved on. They notate everything you say, sometimes I would literally fall out of my chair with laughter at some of the notes. Go ahead and lie to them and tell them your a gay prostitute it will probably crack them up. When I was a debt collector in 2004 I think you could say anything you wanted as long as it wasn't a physical threat, I was allowed to lie and call them horrible names all I wanted, man I had some schemes.

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:52:36 PM EDT

[#26]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I've told them the statute of limitations has expired

Eh? That's for criminal matters.

If it's a legitimate debt, why not make them an offer? Settle, get it all in writing, feel good about yourself, etc.

To answer your question: no, I'm sure it isn't illegal to lie to them.

There is a statute of limitations for debt collections. In my state, it is 4 years.

I actually tried to pay the original creditor long ago but they said they had sold the debt to a debt collector. I will never pay a debt collector one red cent, ever.

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:52:52 PM EDT

[#27]

you already took a hit to credit 15 years ago. after 7 years its cleared. also debt is still there technically, but has been written off. Debt collectors buy up old ass debt for pennies and some dumb ass will end up paying them a portion of a debt that isn't valid. Thus reactivating an old debt and hurting you credit again. If they want to harass you then asked them for proof of a valid debt. 99% of the time they can't prove it.

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:53:13 PM EDT

[#28]

No. And they can lie to you.

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:54:05 PM EDT

[#29]

Call Clark Howard for the answer.

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:54:13 PM EDT

[#30]

No, it's not illegal to lie to them.

Tell them whatever you feel like. Have fun!

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:54:31 PM EDT

[#31]

Messing with debt collectors is awesome fun. Especially when they are calling for someone who has the number previous to you.

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:54:32 PM EDT

[#32]

So you your are in debt to someone and just because it is over 15 years ago, you don't think you owe it to them?

39

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:55:32 PM EDT

[#33]

are you under oath?

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:55:48 PM EDT

[#34]

Quoted:
you can tell them anything you want, just don't send any money. If you send even a cent the debt become active again.

Spot on, tell them your the queen of england for all it matters just don't send them shit!

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:56:11 PM EDT

[#35]

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:56:19 PM EDT

[#36]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I've told them the statute of limitations has expired

Eh? That's for criminal matters.

If it's a legitimate debt, why not make them an offer? Settle, get it all in writing, feel good about yourself, etc.

To answer your question: no, I'm sure it isn't illegal to lie to them.

There is a statute of limitations for debt collections. In my state, it is 4 years.

I actually tried to pay the original creditor long ago but they said they had sold the debt to a debt collector. I will never pay a debt collector one red cent, ever.

In that case, I say fuck 'em. My previous comment isn't directed at you either way. Since the SOL has expired, how much was the debt for????

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:56:22 PM EDT

[#37]

Quoted:

So you your are in debt to someone and just because it is over 15 years ago, you don't think you owe it to them?

39

Dude, it's the new American way.

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:58:08 PM EDT

[#38]

"This is an attempt to collect a debt. Any information obtained will be used for that purpose."

If you make comments that could be construed as acknowledging the debt, it might not go well for you.

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:58:23 PM EDT

[#39]

Be careful not to say anything that could be construed to reaffirm the debt.

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:59:18 PM EDT

[#40]

"Sorry, wrong number. His new number is [number from craigslist add].".

Posted: 4/8/2013 2:59:39 PM EDT

[#41]

A real man pays his debts. It doesn't matter about excuses, time or who is collecting, a man pays up or he is no better than the FSA people.

Posted: 4/8/2013 3:02:45 PM EDT

[#42]

When they call, fake a Chinese language. I do this with unwanted callers, it's loads of fun. Try it after listening to a Wayne Lapierre spiel on the phone when the telemarketer gets on.

Posted: 4/8/2013 3:03:41 PM EDT

[#43]

Quoted:
I was a debt collector for a few months, it is not illegal. I had a great time doing it too but I got a better offer and moved on. They notate everything you say, sometimes I would literally fall out of my chair with laughter at some of the notes. Go ahead and lie to them and tell them your a gay prostitute it will probably crack them up. When I was a debt collector in 2004 I think you could say anything you wanted as long as it wasn't a physical threat, I was allowed to lie and call them horrible names all I wanted, man I had some schemes.

Caller id just dont answer the phone.

Posted: 4/8/2013 3:04:09 PM EDT

[#44]

Quoted:
A real man pays his debts. It doesn't matter about excuses, time or who is collecting, a man pays up or he is no better than the FSA people.

Do real men also read the thread before posting?

Posted: 4/8/2013 3:04:24 PM EDT

[#45]

Tell them you know Obama and ask them to raise your debt limit.

Posted: 4/8/2013 3:04:26 PM EDT

[#46]

Obviously you should full fill your debts.

I don't think that lenders should get off free for shouldering some of the burden. A loan is an investment. With investment comes risk. So an agreement is made between two parties. I will give you an amount of money and the cost of using my money is X, also if you fail to meet the criteria of the loan you are subject to defined penalties. The penalties and cost of money are calculated to mitigate risk. As are other variables such as credit history. This is like any investment, you do your homework and decide if the return rates are worth the risk. Sometimes your calculated risk pays off, other times it does not.

Posted: 4/8/2013 3:06:07 PM EDT

[#47]

I was a collector for a year. If the collector is worth anything, they wont care what lie you tell them. You will entertain them, and they will continue to call you since you acknowledged that you are the debtor. Have fun wasting your own time.

Also, just because the original creditor sold your debt to someone else doesn't excuse you from paying it.

Posted: 4/8/2013 3:07:21 PM EDT

[#48]

Tell them you were born again and part of the deal is all your past stuff was forgiven.

Posted: 4/8/2013 3:07:24 PM EDT

[#49]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I've told them the statute of limitations has expired

Eh? That's for criminal matters.

If it's a legitimate debt, why not make them an offer? Settle, get it all in writing, feel good about yourself, etc.

To answer your question: no, I'm sure it isn't illegal to lie to them.

There is a statute of limitations for debt collections. In my state, it is 4 years.

I actually tried to pay the original creditor long ago but they said they had sold the debt to a debt collector. I will never pay a debt collector one red cent, ever.

Companies that buy debt pay pennies on the dollar for it. Some of these companies are scum,original debtor sell,s part of it and the rest they wright it off or its covered by insurance.

Posted: 4/8/2013 3:07:25 PM EDT

[#50]

I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Is it illegal to lie to a debt collector? (Page 1 of 6)

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