A third or more of debts in collection are not owed, according to the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau.  Why should you care?

Collection calls are being made, collection letters are being sent, adverse reports are being made to credit reports  —  all for fake debts.  If it wasn’t your debt in the first place, how will you now STOP the calls or letters?  How will you get it off your credit report?

Even if it was originally your debt,  the lack of data integrity indicated by this fake debt collection results in payments not being applied correctly, charges being made wrongfully and payoffs not being rightly updated.

The other top complaints were: Improper communication tactics, Taking or threatening illegal actions, Disclosure and verification of debt, False statements or representations and Improper contact or sharing of information.

Source: Consumer Finance Protection Bureau 2014