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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 25, 1979)
tmW& iMs"...v thursday, january 25, 1979 daily nebraskan page 3 Bill collectors must follow guidelines By Lucy Bighia Everyone has been bothered by unwanted bills at one time or another. Most of us merely grumble as we slip the check into the envelope, or wince as we pass up a new al bum for another month's worth of electricity. But some people do not pay their bills; they either cannot afford it or do not feel the bills are justified. Whatever the reason for not paying a bill, ignoring it will not make it go away. Creditors seldom forget that someone owes them money. If anything, their memory and impatience sharpen with time. mmmmi byline A consumer cannot procrastinate very long without be ing contacted by a collection agency. "Collection agency." Many hear those words and their hearts and pocketbooks cringe. Contrary to popular be lief, the consumer has some protection from collection a gencies. Collection act The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, which became effective Mar. 20, 1978, lists what collection agencies can and cannot do. According to the bill, the collector must tell the deb tor, either on the first contact or in writing within five days, that, unless the debtor questions the bill within 30. days, the collector will assume the debt is valid. The following practices are forbidden by the act: -abusive telephone practices, such as repeated phone calls. -publication of names of consumers refusing to pay bills, commonly called "shame lists." -contacting a debtor at an unusual or inconvenient time or place, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. is assumed to be con venient. -misrepresent the situation by claiming the debtor committed a crime. -deposit checks before the date on the check. -contact a debtor who has written the collection a gency telling them he does not intend to pay or asking the agency not to contact him again. -use an envelope with a name or logo on it which sug gests debt collection. -tell someone other than the debtor that the debtor owes money. -threaten to have wages retained to pay debts or to confiscate property unless such action is intended and le gal. According to Bob Lange, of UNL Student Legal Ser vices, retaining wages or confiscating property is only legal after the debtor has been told that the collection agency is considering such action and lost the contesting of the debt in court. Once the collection agency has won in court, it is al lowed to garnish up to 15 percent of the debtor's wages, Lange said. The agency can also obtain a writ of execution order ing the sheriff to seize the debtor's property, such as a car, and put it on a public sale. Anyone who suspects they are being contacted by a collection agency who is violating this act should notify the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or the state attorney general's office. Lincoln agencies A spokesman for the Consumer Protection Division of the attorney general's office, however, said they have received several written complaints and numerous phone calls about Lincoln collection agencies. Most of the phone calls are from people wanting to know their rights, or trying to determine if collectors are acting legally, the spokesman said. Although some collection agencies would have one be lieve otherwise, it seems in some cases that nonpayment of a debt does not affect a debtor's credit rating. A UNL senior, Pat Halama, told of her seven month dispute over a bill with a subscription service, for a mag azine that she said she never ordered. Halama said she wrote to the subscription service se veral times, telling them that she never ordered the mag azine, but the bill was turned over to a collection agency. That was three months ago. she said. Although she still has not paid, she was able to secure a loan for a car, Hal ama said. Marsha, I never believed it would be Vy this great again. y y Poetry isn't my forte. Be my J? Ji Valentine anyway be- S cause Love is jr Jf0-, f To the blond in ikj j-j! J 402 You're yT V PfJ seemg you QrfKathy. . aty.UUT fAJ love you !!!FK ' burst with happiness XJLf Happy valentines day. Mav you tBT be as happy as me. h w 1 - it r buyjbojU;g. sterS stuff Phi Chi Theta will meet today at 4:30 pjn. in the Nebraska Union. Room number will be posted. The UNL Agronomy Club will meet at 7 p.m. in Keim Hall 244. The Free China Associ ation will hold a Chinese New Year Banquet Satur day at 6:30 pjn. at St. Paul United Methodist Church. Admission is S2.75 per per son. Several Lincoln public service agencies have intern ship openings for students with writing, planning or re search skills this semester. Contact the Experimental Education Office, Oldfather 1218, for details. They touch your life . . . Computers are an integral part of your life the supermarket, the bank, the telephone. Round out your university education with a touch on computers. The Computer Network is offering a series of free mini courses to give you the opportunity to gain computer experience Catalogues are available at these locations: All user rooms, Information & Resource Center (221 NH), Love & CY Thompson Libraries. For more information, call 472-3701. GD(M? o 10 a.m.-2 p.m. CAP Volunteer Fair, Main Lounge. 10 a.m .-Admissions -Papillion, Room 232. 12-5 pjn.-ASUN Book Exch a nge, Conference Rooms. 12:30 pjn.-New Stu dent Orientation Host Inter views, Room 203. 1:30 pjn .-Undergraduate Advising Committee, Room 243 . 2 p.m. University Infor-mation-Flatin News Confer ence, Room 242. 3 p.m. -Task Force on Nebraska Unions, Room 202A. 3 p.m. Parking Appeals Board. Room 216. 4 p.m .-Walpurgisnacht Volunteer Training. Room 202. 4:30 pjn. Phi Chi Tlieta. Aud . b pjn. Christian Science Organization. Room 242. 6 p.m. Free China Association. Room 232. 7 p.m. Phi Upsilon Omi cron, Room 202. 7 pjn.- Beta Alpha Psi. Aud. 7 p.m. -Residence Hall Association, Room 243. 7 p. m. -Christian Science Counselor, Room 225G. 7:30 p.m.-Math Coun selors, Room 225. 7:30 pjn. -Students Concerned with Internation al Affairs "Focal Point -Iran", Room 337. WdxixDeiri Wklfeefl III V I All Winter Fashions up to JlL sis Guys & Gals Sweaters -12 off Pants -12 off Shoes -12 off Shirts -12 off Blouses -12 off Skirts -12 off Dresses -12 off Hooded Suede Leather Coats - $79.00 Leather Blazers: Guys $109 Gals $99 All Ski Coats on Sale All Jeans on Sale All Boots on Sale 1 V f I- E. ' i
