On Your Side Viewer Mail

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- How would you feel if a debt collector called you about another person's debt? It happened to a viewer who is upset and wanted to share his experience.

He writes Ken:

"I'm a harassed neighbor. Drivetime is calling everyone on our street when they can't reach my neighbors, their customer. How can I stop this company from harassing me about something that is none of my business?"

Response:

The next time you receive a call, tell the dealer to cease and desist, you may also want to send them a letter stating such. If it continues, report them to the Federal Trade Commission for violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The web address is www.ftc.gov.

That said, the same law allows them to call anyone to make contact with their customer as long as they do not discuss the content of the customer's account.

The next e-mail is from a tenant of The Club at Charter Point apartment complex in the Arlington area. It has to do with road conditions.

He writes Ken:

"We have so many potholes you can't count them all. We have complained, but management won't do anything. Several of us have had to take our cars in for repairs. Do you have any suggestions?"

Response:

If the potholes are a safety hazard, contact the City's Municipal Code Enforcement Division. If road conditions are part of the lease, which I doubt, contact the Florida Division of Hotel and Restaurants, which enforces the Florida Landlord/Tenant Act.

But the condition of a road on private property is the property owner's responsibility. And if the owner is not responding to the tenants, it is time to move.

This e-mail is from Jennifer, who saw a recent OYS broadcast about a phony check scam and wants to know what can be done to stop this scam.

Jennifer writes Ken:

"I came across a link on www.indeed.com, which is a reputable website, that was advertising the exact check scam. Is there a place that I can forward the link or report it?"

Response:

Yes! You can report internet scams like this to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.IC3.Gov or to The National Consumers League's Fraud Center at www.fakechecks.org.

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