# So This Debt Collector Got My Address... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 4, 2010, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-this-debt-collector-got-my-address/527652 "2010-02-04T06:43:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Richie\_Incognito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e36b37/32.png) [@Richie\_Incognito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richie_Incognito)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-this-debt-collector-got-my-address/527652/21 "2010-02-04T22:34:13Z")
> [@DirkGntly](#): > > Lo and behold, 6 months later, we start getting these collection phone calls and letters…turns out this other chick had started using our address and phone when she applied for credit…she wasn’t using my wife’s name, though…their first and last names are the same, but the middle initial is different. The authorities say they can’t do anything, since nothing illegal has been done…nonetheless, it’s been mighty inconvenient, and now we are getting letters from a law firm, threatening legal action. We’ve been ignoring them because the middle initial is different, so it is obviously NOT my wife…should we be paying more attention to these?? I think you are putting too much weight on the mere fact the the two women use a different middle initial. In the world of debt, debtors are often con-artists, using multiple aliases. The fact that the women have different middle initials doesn’t mean much. A collection agency or law firm who is doing due dilligence would likely believe in going after your wife they are going after the proper party. Same name, address and phone number. Due to this, you really shouldn’t simply ignore this. In doing so, things could escalate. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-this-debt-collector-got-my-address/527652/22 "2010-02-04T23:55:23Z")
When I used to do collections one of the best techniques that almost never failed was to to an attachment of the bank account. We would simply send an attachment notice to every bank in a 5 mile radius, of the person’s home address, and we’d almost always get a hit on a bank account we could attach. It’s really easy now that so many banks are consolidated. So that is why I say if you’re hiding from debt collectors, if you must have a bank account make sure it is at a bank not close to your home and NEVER in Texas. Texas laws make it easy to attach a bank account. This is due to the fact in Texas you can’t attach wages. But it’s so easy to attach the bank account. As for the collection agencies they are paying pennies on the dollar for those accounts and most of the debt is interest. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-this-debt-collector-got-my-address/527652/23 "2010-02-05T00:36:00Z")
> [@Richie\_Incognito](#): > > I think you are putting too much weight on the mere fact the the two women use a different middle initial. In the world of debt, debtors are often con-artists, using multiple aliases. The fact that the women have different middle initials doesn’t mean much. > > A collection agency or law firm who is doing due dilligence would likely believe in going after your wife they are going after the proper party. Same name, address and phone number. Due to this, you really shouldn’t simply ignore this. In doing so, things could escalate. And then, maybe, going into the Wal-Mart or Target or whatever and busting her kneecaps. Or, talking to her manager. Whichever. And contact the police while you’re at it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-this-debt-collector-got-my-address/527652.md?page=1)