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Staff Access
General Reference
Consumer Protection
(Related topics: Foreclosure Prevention & Intervention, Reverse Mortgages and tenant rights)
Sections:
General
Insurance
Debt Collection
Other Industries
Fraud/Scams
General
- Insurance
- Debt Collection
- Fair Debt Collection - Massachusetts (MA Attorney General's office)
- Consumer Credit Counseling and Debt Reduction
- Tips to Stop Abusive Debt Collection Practices- MGH Community News, January 2019
- Note this is a national training, additional protections may be available in MA. See first bullets.
- Excerpt- Tip: Inform collectors if all income and property are exempt. Federal and state law protects certain income and property from seizure. This includes Social Security, SSI, veterans’ disability, unemployment, and workers’ compensation benefits. Consumers whose income and assets are protected should ask collectors to stop collection on the debt because they are “judgment proof ” and confirm the request in writing.
- Debt-Collection and Consumers' Rights - MGH Community News, December 2015
- For-Profit College Students Face Debt, Unmet Promises - MGH Community News, October 2014
- Student Debt Help is Often Abusive - MGH Community News, July 2014
- Deceased Relative's Debts - responsibility for - MGH Community News, April 2011
- The Debt Mills - How State Courts Grind Through Consumer Debt Cases - MGH Community News, September 2024
- See also: Bankruptcy
- Other Industries
- Fraud/Scams
- Fraud Resources
- Identity Theft Resources
- Specific Scams/Topics
- Tax Scams - the IRS will never:
- Call and demand immediate payment without first sending a bill in the mail.
- Demand payment without allowing you to question or appeal the amount.
- Require a specific payment method (e.g. prepaid debit card).
- Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
- Threaten to bring in police or other agencies to arrest you for non-payment.
- If you suspect a tax scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission: https://www.ftc.gov/.
- Minimizing the Risk of Scams for People Living with Dementia - MGH Community News, June 2023
- Scammers Offering "Help" with Disability Applications - MGH Community News, April 2016
- Beware Medicare Genetic Testing Scam - MGH Community News, May 2019
- Phone Scam that Impersonates Department of Public Utilities' Phone Number - MGH Community News, November 2015
- NSTAR Scam Warning - MGH Community News, January 2015
- Fake Utility Bill Collector scam - MGH Community News, May 2014
- Medical Loans Can Add to the Pain - MGH Community News, October 2013
- Warning on Senior Advisor Credentials - MGH Community News, December 2011
- Foreclosure Assistance Scams - MGH Community News, June 2010
- Medicare Coverage Gap Rebate Fraud - MGH Community News, June 2010
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