Don't Friend Your Debt Collector on Facebook

How many people would be surprised to know that debt collectors hang out on Facebook, looking for people who owe them money? Everyone meets people they know on Facebook, but the debtors would certainly prefer if their debt collectors didn't follow them onto the site. Debt collectors' jobs are to annoy people, and they'll do it in any way they can. One woman is even suing a debt collector because he is harassing her on Facebook. A Florida resident, this woman only owed a little over $350 in car payments, and a debt collection agency called her ten times a day, before finding her on Facebook. There, they proceeded to message she and many of her friends on Facebook. The lawsuit against the collection agency claims that they have intentionally abused and harrassed her. It's safe to say that Facebook does not like this kind of publicity. They don't want to become known as a site where collection agencies pursue deadbeat debtors. One industry insider has jokingly suggested a new app they could call Debtville. But seriously, Facebook's policies firmly prohibit any type of hateful, intimidating or threatening contact between users. As a hint to debtors, if you have a Facebook account, make sure your profile stays private. This is a good way to allow friends only to know pertinent information about you. It was too late for that information to help the Florida resident who was already being targeted. So she contacted an attorney and then they filed the lawsuit against the debt collection agency. According to Facebook, contacting debtors online to harass them is not allowed. They stated that there are FTC rules and federal and state laws that govern debt collection agencies, and her harassment by her debtor crossed those lines. She was encouraged to contact the Florida Attorney General. Facebook would like anyone who feels that they are being harassed to report the behavior to them and to only accept future friend requests from people they already know. They are also advised to use blocking features and privacy settings to prevent contact that they don't want. The FTC Debt Collection Practices haven't been updated since 2006, but may be amended to include social networking sites. At present they only have the vague phrase “contact by embarrassing media” in the act, but that may or may not include Facebook. The case mentioned is the first time anyone has sued debt collectors for using Facebook to harass them. They are also suing because the collection agency used Facebook to contact not only the debtor, but also her friends and family. If you receive a message from a debtor on Facebook, the company advises that you take a screen capture for evidence, and then let Facebook know, and talk to your state's Attorney General's office.