Cory DoctorowToday's threads (a thread)
Inside: Paying consumer debts is basically optional in the United States; and more!
Archived at: https://pluralistic.net/2023/08/12/do-not-pay/
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Anand R@pluralistic I discovered the FDCPA some 10-15 years ago when I got a debt collection notice out of the blue for a debt I was sure I didn't owe. I made the mistake of calling them before reading about it. But the mistake was easily rectified by sending a letter telling them to stop calling me and only correspond in writing. Since then, I've realized that the even better thing to do is just throw debt collection notices in the recycling. It's (usually) too low value for the collectors to care.
@pluralistic When people are unfairly charged for something, they end up paying eventually because they don't have the time or the energy to fight it and they don't want it to affect their credit score (gasp!). I try telling them that they should refuse to pay any debt that they don't owe and it will work out fine, but the threat of the credit score hangs heavy over all of us.
Matt@anand @pluralistic sending the letter is the best thing but I always loved saying “I don’t owe that let me look at my records” and then taking a walk or something. Usually they were so desperate to keep contact with someone who didn’t just hang up they’d wait.
Waste more time of theirs than the debt is worth before telling them I’m not paying because I don’t owe it and good luck collecting (so many times it’s so old they can’t even sue).