Scammers are posing as legitimate debt collectors—threatening the financial security of many Eastern Shore residents. These tactics are on the rise and they’re getting harder to spot. For those experiencing financial difficulties, here are some things to know:

As a first rule of business, know all of your real and valid consumer debt! This way, if someone contacts you about a debt you owe, you can quickly identify whether it’s real or a scam. Consumer debt is money borrowed from a lender for personal, family, or household use such as a credit card, medical bill, home mortgage, or auto loan. It is not associated with a business. 

Debt-related scams tend to target financially vulnerable individuals. Common scams include offering to save your house from foreclosure (but failing to disclose that they require transfer of your title first); eliminating your debt entirely (for a hefty fee before any work is done); listing a rental property that doesn’t exist (and requiring payment upfront); claiming you have a significant credit card balance that requires immediate repayment, etc.

Debt collection scammers also operate on the hope that you’ll pay them quickly without asking any questions. Instead, if someone contacts you about your debt, ask for the following:

• Their name and the company they’re calling on behalf of
• The company’s name, address, phone number, website, and email address
• Their license number
• The amount of the debt
• The name and address of the creditor who is trying to collect the debt from you

Asking questions to confirm they are who they say they are is your best line of defense. You can also protect yourself by keeping receipts of all payments, documents related to your debt, and any evidence you tried to address debt with your original or current creditor. 

In the event that you do need legal support to navigate consumer debt issues, Shore Legal Access can help. Too often, court cases find for the debt collector without consideration of the circumstances that led you to where you are — such as unpaid medical bills, rental charges, credit card balances, or other consumer debts. Debtors have rights that can be protected in court, and we will work with you to represent your needs.

If you have an open debt case in Dorchester County, you can talk with a Shore Legal Access attorney and case manager at the District courthouse on Friday mornings to learn more about your rights and how to protect them.  

Protect yourself from common consumer-debt related scams.  And if you need help 

maintaining your sources of income or managing your debt, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for free and low-cost legal services.