Debt Collector Information

LindaS

I just received a request from an independent collection agency for one of my employees. They are requesting rate of pay, supervisor name, home telephone number and whether or not this ee currently has any court-ordered garnishments. Requests I have received in the past simply ask if the employee is current and full or part time. Am I required to provide this company with the additional information? Nothing contained in the request indicates there has been a judgement against the employee.

Any help would be appreciated.

HRsage

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 05-12-03 AT 11:56AM (CST)[/font][p]I don't believe you are obligated to give out that info to them, and I wouldn't give them any info they are requesting. That is way too much personal info to be asking for.

Whatever

Unless you have a court order, I would not answer the questions. However, you should probably check your state laws.

Parabeagle

We do not answer such inquiries.

scottorr

I agree with everyone else. Don't give this info without a court order. Without one how can you be sure this is legitimate.

Don D

It's a fishing trip. I've not heard of collection agencies asking for this much info. They will be very surprised if you respond. Eventually, you might have the information subpoenaed; but, wait for that to happen.

LindaS

Thanks to all that responded. I have never run across a debt collection agency asking for this much information so I wondered if maybe I missed something. Thanks again.

Don D

Linda: I re-read your original post and want to say that you are not obligated to respond to the questions of whether or not they are employed full or part time either. In fact, I don't know that I would respond period. Typically a company responds to things required by law (agencies, subpoenaes, etc), requests from mortgage companies for the employee's benefit, employment verification inquiries from employers........and that's about it. Can all the ones from lawyers, spouses, mothers, neighbors, bill collectors and bail bondsmen.

JudyRoy

We don't response to such inquiries. Our policy is that we won't even verify employment without the employee's written permission. So we would respond with a simple "we must have the employee's written permission to give you this information". That usually ends it quickly. Most times these inquiries lead to a garnishment, but that's when we are legally required to give out the information, not before.

ritaanz

Don't waste the $.37 and your time.

WOCO Frank

The only time I respond is if the inquiry is from a government agency - child support, student loans, IRS, etc.

Don D

WOCO, you missed that one on the student loans. You are required to respond to welfare agency requests and those from the IRS, but not those regarding student loans, unless in the form of a garnishment or subpoena.

jimlegal

I vote not to reply. Save yourself not only postage but headaches down the road.

System

We receive garnishments here all the time. If it is a real state agency, they will MAIL you the request in the form of a court order. The person that called could have been a P.I. or a Debt company or worse! trying to track them down. You risk alot giving out the info