How to Avoid Debt Collection Scams While Using Social Media

Aaron Elliott on Jun 10th 2012 in Social Media Help 0

Most of the people nowadays use the social media websites to remain connected with the long lost friends and relatives. These are also supposed to be a great way to de-stress yourself as you can share almost all of your feelings in these websites. Just for example, in case of Facebook, you can share your feelings and likes and dislikes. There are also supposed to come along many likes and comments, on your posts. Now, in order to post in these social networking or social media websites, it is required of you to register with them. When you register, you are required to share personal information with the website, though, it is not mandatory for you to share all of the information. Now, just like the creditors and debt help companies scour the websites for consumers, similarly, the debt collectors too do the same.

What are the collection agencies?

The collection agencies are the third party people, who collect on unpaid debts. In some cases, the collection agencies can be authentic, but there have been many instances, where most of the agencies are shady. They not only scam people but also harass them over debts, which they don’t even owe or on debts that may have been paid off. Majority of the people are so very concerned about the collection agencies harassing them, that most avoid taking any calls. However, rather than avoiding the calls, it is better to talk to them and find out if you actually owe any money. Moreover, you should be aware of the FDCPA laws, and the ways in which you can avoid the collection agency scams.

How can you avoid debt collection scams?

So that you do not fall prey to the debt collection scams while using the social media websites, you will be required to:

Be aware that collection agencies do use these websites - First of all, you should consider the fact that the collection agencies do use the social media websites. So, it is quite obvious that if you share information on such websites, the collection agencies by hook or by crook are going to collect at least some of it.

Utilize all of the privacy settings that the website has on offer - Utilize all of the privacy settings that the social media websites has on offer. This may help you top better protect your accounts. For example, if you see the profiles of most of the people in Facebook, you will be able to see that majority fails to set the privacy settings properly. Otherwise, you are only going to give away most of your information and thus fall prey to collection agency scams.

Think twice before posting in the websites - You should think twice before writing something personal in the social media websites. One thing can lead to other, and then more revelation about your whereabouts, your accounts and so on. Even if you have all the privacy settings turned on, it is better to avoid commenting on anything, and everything you see on the social media websites.

Hold back some information rather than sharing all - While creating your social media accounts, rather than sharing all of your personal information, hold back most. Share only those that are basically required, like your name and some of your like sand dislikes, or your schooling and all.

Avoid hitting the ‘Like’ button at every instance - If you are always ready to hit the ‘Like’ button, think twice before doing that. Or else, you may end up giving more information that required to the collection agencies.

Don’t accept friend requests from unknown people - Don’t always be ready to accept any and all of the friend requests that come your way. If you don’t know a person personally, it is better to ignore the request.

Though the FTC has not yet imposed any rules on how to better use the social media websites, it is completely your discretion as to how you are going to use the same.