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Show Collection hoaxes up as payments lag a Sidney Margohus is a member of the President's Consumer Advisory Council. New York (WNS) The usual lag in consumer repayments during a period of reduced employment and steep I'vmg coks inevitably spurs an increase in scare tactics by bill collectors v 4., Sometimes families who mean to pay their debts should arrange dim tly with t If there is of the debt, and you nme to pay it, rno- -t need mely of me f OJk ( no dispute over the validity payments r But instead, they more wim.inpw iiiiiiriMi'(immMn reputable i M SIDHEY are frightened by collection agencies into extreme actions such as bankruptcy or trying to methods thus often hide harm both creditors and debtors. One of the most frightening ruses on the part of credit collectors is the use of documents that look like lawyers letters or even garnishee notices In one recent case the Federal Trade Commission charged that a collection agency used a form headed Notice of Draft for Suit This was not, of course, a real court notice Threats of complaints to employers with implications of possible job loss also often have been used to coerce workers into paying even debt claims against which they had legitimate defenses Wage-earnenow have more protection against such threats under federal laws and recent court decisions If you ei er get a collection letter that looks like a legal notice, it would be wise to ask the advice of an experienced person such as a lawyer, local bank or credit union manager, union shop steward, family service agency or even your minister They usually .an tell if the document really is a legal one or High-pressu- ' dO. for postponement or creditors stretebed-ou- Jfl V accounts will bo reported to credit bureaus an over the country. Sometimes collectors even claim that they will ask government officials to collect the tardy accounts, something that government agencies obviously cannot mmoiw re a' JfriFo I THE CONSUMER GIANT finance companies and lenders will agree to a schedule of reduced payments, especially when they are aware of job problems Thus, the General Motors Acceptance Corp recently reported that it had arranged about a third more adjusted schedules recently than it normally did. Delinquent debtors do have more protection now against the kind of naked harrassment some collectors once used to embarrass the tardy payers among their neighbors relatives and employers Court decisions and laws m an increasing number of states have built up a body of law defending against undue harrassment Perhaps the most serious loss debtors need to protect against is repossessions of cars. Its always wisest to arrange a not private sale or for someone to take over In one case, an attorney supplied a the car and payments if you wont bt able to meet them Otherwise, you may collection agency with his letterheads The FTC charged that these materials wind up not only losing your car but falsely indicated that the files had been owing a balance. transferred to a lawyer or that an Testimony before the National Comattorney was actively involved in mission on Consumer Finance several collecting the account or preparing for years ago indicated that finance comlegal action panies sold repossessed cars at an Another often-use- d collection average of onjy about half the retail strategy is to threaten that delinquent book value SgrlLMtMWMfFSiL? ultba r? KITCHEN SINKS '.pwrra- Tg-m-i' 1i yss?; r- AUQB8T taduto r a,' LOSE POUNDS NITUSMIT MsEfunrHy Maintain Dnsirtsl W.fgfif NO STRENUOUS HOLE EXERCISES NO CHUGS NO MIRACLE NETS 4 HOLE NO HYPNOSIS NO SHOTS NO WRAPS ANU INEXPENSIVE OR FUN CALL SHOP AT mmi NOW FOR FREE CONSULTATION! EXMEIACG KETCHUMS Af mum Simple, SArf WHITE ENAMEL HAVE M NO MACHINES STEEL STAINLESS Salt Lot 406-39- SUTURE -O- GDEN mm mmm .J-fC- . V3f w 7 C&S1 Collection of antique and estate jewelry at 30 savings a 4(4tJLUltA!V 'teiUTTlW! 1 u. CMt Once again, we're showing a collection of rare jewelry pieces set with exquisite stones. Each piece has been authenticated and features craftsmanship and design qualities of decades gone by. This stunning group of jewelry pieces includes rings, pendants, brooches, bracelets and many other items. Chances are you'll find the exact piece of antique or estate jewelry you all stores. may be searching for. ZCMI Fine Jewelry, ZiOMI X tss H.1CKE uuhi EATALLYCUttAOT 3 01. YITMiS 2 fm 01. |
