DEBT COLLECTORS HARASSING YOU HOW TO MAKE THEM STOP!

According to most national economist we are slowly coming out
of our economic recession? Why then are the following trends still happening:

*Few if any new job hiring by employers across the US.

*Federal Reserve has just raised intrest rates to the BIG banks.

*Nationwide foreclosed home are incresing two-fold.

*With Amercians owning more debt banks,credit card

companies, etc have step up efforts to collect money

owed to them by any means neccessary.




If you've been a victim of job loss, medical emergency or other cause of income loss, you may be one of the millions of individuals facing a pile of debts that you cannot cover. Miss one or two payments and you can expect to get a call from a debt collector.

Calls from debt collectors trying to find you at your place of employment can be humiliating. You may already be screening your calls, your chest tightening as you realize it's them - again.

While not every debt collector is unsympathetic and berating they likely do have to steel themselves for many of the sad stories given to them as explanations for past due debts. They are also frequently rewarded for their efforts in collecting the debt with a commission based on the amount obtained. It is easy to see why it is not uncommon for individuals who are already in a desperate state to fear encounters with the more aggressive collectors who are determined to get their fees.

"What Are They Allowed to Do?"

Debt collectors are allowed to contact you by in person, by mail, by telegram, by fax and by phone; at home or at work - unless they know your employer would disapprove. They may also not contact you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. unless you have agreed to the contact at that time.

They must contact your attorney unless you don't have one. They may then contact other people to find out your telephone number, work place or address, but in most cases they are not allowed to inform them that you owe money or contact them more than once.

"What If I Don't Want to be Contacted?"

Whether or not you actually owe a debt you can write a letter to the collector telling them to stop contact. They may then contact you only once to inform you that they will make no further contact or to tell you what action may be taken against you.

Stopping contact will not clear the debt. If you do not believe you owe the debt make that clear in your letter.

"What Can I Do If I Am Harassed?"

The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) has a Fair Debt Collection policy to protect consumers. Knowing your rights will put off even the most determined collector since they already know the law and are pressing you on the assumption that you don't.

Debt collectors are NOT allowed to harass, abuse or oppress you or other individuals on your behalf - that includes obscene language, threats of violence or repeated calling in an effort to annoy.

They are not allowed to misrepresent themselves as government agents, attorneys or representing a credit bureau if they are not. They cannot imply they are sending legal documents if they aren't or that you've committed a crime, if you haven't.

They cannot imply legal action, including seizing property or garnishing wages unless they are legally allowed and intend to do so.

You can find out more about your rights from the FTC. If you want to report an agent you can do so by contacting the FTC or your Attorney General. If they are breaking the law you have the right to sue.

HOW TO SAVE YOUR JOB !

In these challenging economic times, where people are worried they might lose their job, there are things you can do to help assure that you are not one of them. Here are a few suggestions to keep in mind, that will help insure that your job is secure.

Discover ways to make yourself indispensable. If you work in an office, volunteer to help out whenever you have a chance. Whether it's volunteering to be part of a project team, jumping in when co-workers are trying to finish a project on time, being responsible for the petty cash box, or teaching co-workers a new skill that you may have learned. Your boss will notice and your co-workers will appreciate your assistance.

Keep improving your skill sets. Grade the way you do your job, and look for ways to be more efficient and productive. Your job performance will improve, and you will be noticed by your boss.

Have a positive attitude. Some people get stressed out in this terrible economic environment where everyone knows someone, a friend or family member, that has lost their job. You can hang out at the water cooler and gossip about whether your own company is the next to start cutting jobs, or you can keep your head down and get your job done. You will feel better because you are being productive, and you will inspire others around you to do the same. Your BOSS will notice!

Be the employee you would hire, if you were the boss. Put your bosses hat on and give yourself a thorough evaluation as an employee. Do you get to work on time? Are you rested and ready to go when you get to work, or do you need a cup of coffee or three to get in gear. Try to think how you appear to others, and make sure you put your best foot forward.

Hopefully, these tips about how to save your job will help you to be proactive and assure that, even in the worst economy, you will be one of the employees that any employer would want to keep. Finding a way to be the best employee you can be will also help you when you decide you need to find another position at some point in the future. Also, the boss you work for and the employees you work with will be a network for your career for years to come.

5 TIPS TO KEEPING YOUR JOB

You may be blessed enough to have a job today, but with the history of our job market, that may not be the same tomorrow. That is unless you make yourself stand out from the average job hunter "crowd."

There are 5 basic tips to keeping the job you have. Even if it is one you don't enjoy, you can use your current job as a launching pad for your ideal dream job in the future by using these useful suggestions:

Communicate Effectively

1) you need to be able to communicate well. As one of the Proverbs says, "When anyone is replying to a matter before he hears it, that is foolishness on his part..." That means that listening closely to your employer and to your co-workers can prevent misunderstandings and keep you from making foolish mistakes that could cause you problems and unnecessary stress.

Also, you need to speak so that you can be heard and understood. You need to speak clearly and loudly enough to be heard, but not too loud so as to appear that you are angry or trying to show authority over your co-workers. If you do this, it is more likely that you will be understood, and others, including your employer, will have more respect for you and more likely to listen to what you have to say.

Get Along With Others

2) you need to get along with others. You spend more time at your workplace than you do at home, so you might become very close friends with some of your work mates. You also might not like some of them. This could lead to complaining or gossiping about some of your co-workers, or worse yet, your job and your employer. A piece of advise, "..make it your aim to live quietly and to mind your own business." This not only makes for better working conditions but you will avoid wasting your employer's time and possibly causing needless friction with your co-workers.

Go the Extra Mile

3) do more than is expected. if you want to keep your job, you can set yourself apart from the "rest" by doing each task assigned the very best you can. The greatest man who ever lived said, "If someone under authority impresses you into service for a mile, go with him two miles." If you have a reputation of being a hard worker--one who will go the extra mile--you will be more likely to keep your job, even if others may lose theirs.

Be Honest

4) be honest. In a survey of over 1,400 companies, the majority of employers "ranked honesty and integrity as qualities that impress them most in job candidates." Of course that would include the obvious things like not stealing money or materials from the job. But even more important is not stealing your employer's time. An employment agency conducted a study that revealed that time theft averaged over four hours per employee per week. These employees tended to be late, leave early, and socialized with other employees while they should have been working.

Even if your boss is not looking, chances are someone is, and that person just might be your next supervisor or a person in a position to decide if you keep your job. If you have a reputation for working well--even when not supervised--you are an employee to be trusted, and one the company will want to keep.

Be Organized

5) be organized. If you are organized and keep your workspace neat, you are less likely to lose time looking for things you need, or more importantly the things your employer might need. A neat workspace is a time saver and saves your company money. And you can be sure others will notice. Besides, if you organized and know how to quickly locate things, you will have less stress and enjoy your work more.


Bottom Line

Things change quickly. Mergers and mismanagement cause businesses to close every day. Other companies, due to economic downturns, are forced to reduce their number of employees either temporarily or possibly even permanently. Then your employer will be forced to decide who will go and who will stay. If you have made these above 5 tips your personal habits as an employee, you are more likely to be one of the ones your employer considers to be a "keeper." When pay increases are considered, these same habits will bring you more increases than others with your same job skills.

So, enjoy your work and use it to build a reputation as the one your employer can always count on to take direction, work well with others, be organized and not a time-waster. That will make your day at work much more enjoyable and help you keep your job when others are losing theirs.

5 Tips For Dealing With Job Loss

As US companies begin examining their bottom line, many people will find that their jobs are being downsized through no fault of their own. When you are laid off suddendly, it is important to stay in control of your life and focus your efforts in the right direction. It is common for most people to fall into a deep depression or a state of "funky" do-nothingness when they lose their jobs. Here are 5 tips for dealing with job loss,and help keep you motivated on the road to securing a new job.

1. Focus your energy on finding a new job. Don’t let depression ruin your life. Time spent crying, moping, complaining and cussing why your job loss happened to you will not get you into another one. Try to keep your mind focused like a laser beam on finding that new job,by making new contacts with recruiters and employment agencies and working on your resume. Of course, it is all right to feel bad and even spend time alone, but do not let it stop you from living life.

2. Become a valued resource to others. Keep in contact with others who may have lost their jobs at your passed employer. If you run across a position that you think may be suited to one of your former co-workers be sure to recommend them for the position or inform them about the opening. Give as much help to others as you can. The favor will often be returned as recruiters usually ask for prospects to send information about a job opening to a friend if they are not interested in the position. Stay in contact with your ex-workmates so, your name will be fresh in their minds as a referral.

3. Keep good records and stay organized. Organization is going to become a key component as you hunt for new employment. You will want to apply to as many jobs as possible so you will need to keep track. Create a folder and store all of the job postings you apply to as well as the names of all the recruiters and company contacts you have made. You don’t want to make the mistake of continuously re-applying to the same jobs – and you definitely want to be sure to follow-up with jobs you have applied to. Keeping records of whom you speak to is also helpful, as you will begin building up your list of people you can contact throughout your job search and you will be able to reach out to them in the future. Be sure to note their name, company and phone number and the types of positions they are trying to fill.

4. Update your budget. When you no longer have income you have to make certain that you re-evaluate your budget. You may have to survive on limited unemployment benefits and a flat dollar amount from a severance package. This means that you will need to cut out some expenses. Check your budget for recurring expenses that are not necessities. Do you have both a cell phone and a landline? Perhaps you can get rid of one temporarily. Do you have a cable package with premium channels? Perhaps you can subscribe to basic cable or get rid of cable altogether. The trick is to scrutinize your budget to see where you can pay out less and keep more in your account to pay your credit card bills, rent, utilities and to ensure you have food and transportation.

5. Find a moneymaker. Look for ways that you can make extra cash here and there. Often we focus on finding a full-time permanent job that we over look simple things we can do for others to make a little extra cash. Offer to baby sit for friends and family. Go to the mall and apply for a part time job in your favorite store – this is also great for finding discounts on things you may need. If you are entrepreneurial use the Internet to setup a small home business typing, writing or doing research for website owners. Just be sure to leave time for your job search.

A period of unemployment can be nerve-wracking, but if you can focus your efforts on working within the situation you have been placed in and making a few temporary changes in your life, you will make it through. Remember that you are in control of your own life, not the people who are doing the hiring and firing.