NB needs to get to the local consumer credit counseling service (CCCS) office as soon as she/he can. If what is described is actually occurring, NB has a number of legal tools under the Fair Credit Act. NB has rights but MUST TAKE THEM. So long as the creditors get a 'positive' response from their actions - their actions will continue.

NB might consider a pocket tape recorder to record the calls she/he receives at work. They might prove interesting to the legal-types if things escalate. And I wouldn't say anything about making the recording - it's just for your 'records'...

NB's responses to the creditors need to be by registered mail - something they HAVE to sign for. Stay off the phone with these people. Depending on the job, NB might ask that only messages be taken from callers outside the business/clients (of course this may not be possible).

CCCS can make arrangements for repayment. I suspect that once creditors see that CCCS is involved, they will change their tune. Those web debt agents are okay for advice but sitting down with someone will make this happen.

BTW, CCCS is a United Way agency (at least in my town). When I visited CCCS and went through the paperwork, they looked up each creditor on a list. The list showed the creditor's 'new' interest rate and repayment amounts. All that's been required of me is contacting the creditors to let them know I am a CCCS client and that their payments will be coming from CCCS in the future. Also in this process was a request to change the payment date later in the month - which, so far, has been accepted. I contacted them by mail. CCCS costs $35 to start, then just $5 per month.

If NB wants more personal empowerment, I would recommend 'Financial Peace' by Dave Ramsey. Wait until you read this man's saga...

NB shouldn't give up - I've got $15K to repay...
JW

Stand on Federal Law

With the express caveat that the following should not be considered legal advice and the recipient should not rely on it as such, but should verify this information for himself.

YES! You definitely do have rights, they are spelled out in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act a Federal Statute. A consumer agency in your area should be able to provide you with a brochure that details its protections.

Once you request that a creditor no longer call you at your place of employment, he cannot under FDCP. The first call is ok, but the one after you tell them never to call at work is a violation of FDCP.

You have no obligation to provide your personal account information to anyone, you are right to protect it.

I recommend you contact Consumer Credit Counseling, it is listed in your local white pages and they will do the negotiating for you. It sounds as if you are to frazzled and frustrated to do it yourself and they will help you set a budget to get out of debt.
Amber W, Esq. in Milwaukee, WI

Web Site Explains the Law

Based on the Fair Credit Collection Act, the Debt Collector may not contact you at your place of employment if the debt collector knows or has reason to know that the your employer prohibits the you from receiving such communication.

You may also notify a debt collector in writing that the you as the consumer refuses to pay a debt or that the consumer wishes the debt collector to cease further communication with the consumer, the debt collector shall not communicate further with the consumer with respect to such debt, except -
(1) to advise the consumer that the debt collector's further efforts are being terminated;
(2) to notify the consumer that the debt collector or creditor may invoke specified remedies which are ordinarily invoked by such debt collector or creditor; or
(3) where applicable, to notify the consumer that the debt collector or creditor intends to invoke a specified remedy. If such notice from the consumer is made by mail, notification shall be complete upon receipt.

You can find this information at http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/15/ch41.html. This site should provide everything you need to know about your rights pertaining to the your situation.
E G

Editor's note: There were many very good responses to this question. Many were too detailed to be included here. A large sampling is available at http://www.stretcher.com/stories/971203a.htm. Unfortunately, I deleted email addresses before I could thank those who participated. So let me give everyone a big THANKS here.

Family Wants Hand Crafted Christmas

As a struggling University student a few years ago I had to find a way to give Christmas gifts to my entire family and I only had $50. Well $50 doesn't buy anything of quality for 10 family members so I came up with a plan. I had some scraps of fabric (my mother is a quilter and just throws them out) and some glue, bristol board and embroidery thread. I went to a local craft shop and bought baskets, tissue paper, candles and some wire cone frames. This cost about $25. And I spent the last $5 on Christmasy candle holders from a dollar store. Then I went to the grocery and bought some chocolate making supplies (basically butter, choc. pieces, creams and flavourings) and that cost about $20. Then I went on a trek through the woods and gathered acorns, twigs and pine cones galore. My final product was a Christmas basket for each person (couples had to share one) filled with 20 handmade Christmas ornaments, truffles and candies, a candle holder and candles. Included in the baskets were Christmas mice (little Christmas bread loaves made in a slightly oval shape with almond slivers for ears, and string for tails and currants). Along with this I gave a Christmas tree that was about 20" high made with pinecones glued to a wire frame and embellished with bits and pieces of fabric made into bows. I also used bits of baby breath saved from flowers that were sent to me.

Now, several years later, I asked for a Christmas list from my family. I think that they were actually appalled at the fact that I wanted to buy something instead of making it. And after much complaining on their part I am once again making Christmas baskets even though it is no longer a financial necessity.

It just goes to show that it is not the price that counts but truly the thought and time taken to convey the spirit of Christmas.
Laurie M

Homemade Soup Mixes

I traveled a lot for work this year(one week- 7 airports- 6 days) and I looked at some of the food items sold in airports as gifts. A number of companies across the country put a cup or two of beans and a packet of herbs and spices in a mason jar, calico bag or soda type bottle(like old coke bottle shape) , add a recipe to the outside and sell it for $8 -15 dollars. You could give someone several different soup mixes very inexpensively. Use jars you have or ask friends before recycling day each week. you can buy beans in bulk at the health food store or just buy the beans packaged by the pound(Goya has some different kinds).The beans look really nice layered(but pack full or it will shift) or if you are using a colorful bean mixture, it doesn't need layers. Make up the packets of spices and herbs(get them in bulk at a health food or ethnic food store) and put into saran wrap and tape. You can put rounds of fabric and ribbon over the lid. You can write out the recipe on a little card or print it out on the computer and tie it to the jar. You'll have a provided a useful, healthy gift that will be great through the winter(and it won't have MSG, too much salt or those unpronounceable preservatives).
Andrea K

Potpourri Pies

We have made potpourri pies for gifts. We use the small metal pans you get when you buy pot pies, and make a dough that is 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, 1 cup water. You roll out the dough and cut it into strips (I have a cutting wheel that cuts a wavy line) turn the pan upside down and weave the strips three in one direction and three in the opposite direction over it. Cut one strip wider and longer so you can place it around the pan, press the dough together wherever it meets other strips of dough. Brush with egg white (to make it shiny) and bake in the oven at 325 degrees until it is browned to your liking. Remove from oven and when cool, gently pry the crust from the pan, turn pan over, fill with potpourri, place crust on top and tie crust to the pan with pretty ribbon. Looks very pretty, smells wonderful and looks harder to make than it actually is.
Julie M

Best Christmas Present

Portraits to the rescue! My mother-in-law is very difficult to buy for. One year my husband, daughter and I went to Penny's and had a portrait taken. We framed one 8X10 of the three of us and one of our daughter alone. When she opened it she had tears in her eyes. Other siblings saw how much she loved it and she now has a wall full of portraits.
JJ

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