Bankruptcy

What Happens if My Credit Card Companies Keep Calling Me After I File a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Arizona?

By Joseph McDaniel, Esq.

One list for things you should be afraid of (atomic bombs, giant poisonous snakes, visits from your in-laws), and another list for things that are less scary.

And then when you need to feel afraid, you can just go down the list to good old number 73, and watch your hair follicles clench in terror!

A call from a credit card company after you filed your bankruptcy probably should go in the "less scary" list.

The credit card company (or the fifth company that bought the debt) may not have a well-organized system, or may just be a bad apple. Happens.

In either case, you can take the first bite at the apple. Just say, "please don't contact me again. I have filed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, number ___________________. Do not call again. Have a nice day!"

Don't engage the collector in an argument; he's getting minimum wage in a country where English is not a first language.

If the creditor keeps calling after being told by you that you filed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case, call your Arizona bankruptcy lawyer and he or she will contact them and send a "knock it off" letter that points out the provisions of the automatic stay.

If the creditor won't knock it off after the Arizona bankruptcy attorney has sent a knock it off letter, then maybe it's time for a contempt motion.

But I've only needed to file two or three of those in thirty years, so don't plan on it in your case.

Most creditors just need a little love and attention.

NOTHING HERE CONSTITUTES LEGAL ADVICE RE A CHAPTER 7, CHAPTER 13, CHAPTER 11, OR CHAPTER 12. FIND AN ARIZONA BANKRUPTCY LAWYER WHO IS BOARD CERTIFIED IN BANKRUPTCY LAW, AV RATED, AVVO 10 RATED, ON SUPERLAWYERS, OR JUST VERY EXPERIENCED AND A FORMER CHAIR OF SOME BANKRUPTCY SECTION OR COMMITTEE. NOTHING HERE MAY BE USED AS LEGAL ADVICE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY BANKRUPTCY, WHETHER THAT BANKRUPTCY IS IN PHOENIX, GLENDALE, TEMPE, MESA, SCOTTSDALE, OR ANYWHERE ELSE.

Full post as published by Arizona Bankruptcy Attorney Blog on June 02, 2009 (boomark / email).