Can anyone help me?

I recently became disabled. I notified my credit card holders immediately by phone about the situation so that they could close my cards and no extra charges would be added. They refused. Now they call me everyday to a point where I now refuse to even answer the phone. My charges are almost double what I owed and some are double what the card was worth. I also sent them a letter stating the phone call and the circumstances.
I now get SSID, however after rent, car insurance, telephone, and food there is about $20 left to last me until the next check. According to the drs, I have about 2 yrs left (I have stage 3 lung cancer) and I dont want to be harrassed by these creditors. Is there anything I can do besides change my phone number?
By the way, I was never late on a payment, even when I was unemployed, I paid them all out of my savings that I was living on. And they are aware of that.

Beach, there are no assets for them to take when I go, so they are not going to get a dime. I do not own anything. And filing bankruptcy is a waste of time. There is nothing to take. They cant go after my son for my debts because I dont have anything to give to him. He is not responsible for my credit cards.There is no money anywhere. I will be buried by the state because there is no money.

Wow, I see this every day and every day I feel for folks in your situation. But your question does raise some issues that everyone should know about.

First, you should be complemented on calling your credit card companies and telling them you want the accounts closed. As someone who reads terms and conditions of hundreds of different credit cards, I can tell you that does no good. To cancel a card, it must be done in writing. Even if you do that, the interest and any fees you incur will still be applied.

Second, I saw answers that referenced the FDCPA and FCRA. These are two separate laws that cover two different things. If it the original creditor contacting you, the FDCPA does not apply. If they have assigned this debt to a debt buyer or have some third party collection agency attempting to collect the debt, then the FDCPA applies. I have never seen an original creditor who would not honor a cease and desist letter. But keep in mind, it is a letter, not a phone call that triggers this. A collector under the FDCPA must honor a cease and desist letter, again a letter. The FCRA has to do with reporting on credit reports and access thereto.

Sorry that I couldnt be more help in your specific situation, but without a breakdown where, how much and what you are spending on, it is difficult to determine if you have any ability to pay. I hear from many people they have nothing to pay a debt with, but when we look at what they are spending money on, many times there is something that can be given up as a luxury or cut back to the point to enter into a payment plan. Some examples I see are paying full coverage insurance on a car more than 8 years old, or having too low a deductible. I dont consider cable a luxury, but premium channels are. Eating out almost every meal, or even once a day can be cut back. Paying for high priced internet providers.

Everyone needs to remember this country runs on credit. Homes, cars, high priced items and entertainment often could not be afforded if not for credit. Many of these are cornerstones of our economy. The credit industry allows for the common folks to have these things. They shouldnt be criticized or condemned for wanting to recoup their money and make a profit, so the next person can have a car or a home.

Good luck, and I wish you the best.

Reality is that it will be really hard to get them to stop calling. You will likely end up getting recorded calls and would have to spend a great deal of effort. If you call your phone company and tell them that you are receiving harassing phone calls, they will likely change your phone number for free.

Oh my that sounds horrible. They're making your life miserable. Seems to me you need an attorney. Good Luck and God bless.

Kimam,
go out and give your family a hug.
go to Walrus mart , get a prepaid phone and disconnet ur landline. that eliminates harrassing calls and u control ur calls.
given ur place i would not care about them.
u got no money and probably won't get any so. don't worry , they can't come and break ur legs like in old days. enjoy ur days as best u can. write a journal of ur time for friends and family. learn to paint. learn to knit enjoy what u can. Do not worry about slave cards they got more money than they need.

So sorry about your illness... I TOO am terminally ill (2 months - 5 Years but probably less)...I started on Social Security Disability this past May.. (almost 8 months since being diagnosed)... I TOO have credit cards, but I am fortunately able to pay them because I NEVER allowed myself to go over a $500 limit on ANY of my credit cards EVER.... Unfortunately, these companies WANT and DESERVE some payment every month---and are not going to stop the calls just because you are ill....... You Might want to talk to a credit counselling company who MAY be willing to help you SOMEWHAT because if they can get SOME sort of payment (even the bare minimum), they will leave you alone... The only other thing you can do is change your phone number and get it UNLISTED but low and behold, they MAY end up finding out that number as well..... The credit company's point of view is---ya BOUGHT it, ya pay for it... and they don't care if a person is deathly ill or not...but that's why they are in BUSINESS.... to make money off your and everyone elses' payments, and it's not really THEIR fault that you fell way behind--- As much as I feel SORRY for your perdicament, the only other thing you could do is file for BANKRUPTSY...

kimmamarie,

You need to get an attorney quickly. You need to be protected through bankruptcy. That is the only way the calls will stop. Since your time is short, this is the only way.

Either contact the local clergy, or contact legal aid in the city where you live. They do pro-bono work (free for those who can't afford) and they should be running to help you.

Get an answering machine, or get a phone that has caller ID.

Don't disconnect as you will need to have to call all of those who are checking in to go through a new number hassle. Calling the phone company won't work because they are legally allow to call you up to umpteen times a day between 8 AM and 9 PM.

You need to send a certified letter return receipt requested to each of the creditors who call you. In the letter you need tell them that based upon the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act that you want them to immediately cease and desist calling you. If they need to communicate with you they should do so by mail. If they continue to call you after receiving the letter you may have legal recourse against them. Fines are fairly still for each occurrence. They cannot legally continue to call and harass you after receiving the letter. You may want to check with a local credit conseling service for the exact wording in the law. Since you are receiving public assistance, you may have access to legal counsel through legal aide. Check with your community or local human services office. A lawyer should be able to assist you in stopping these people from calling. You could also file bankruptcy, but with no assets it probably won't help much other than to stop the harrassment. The letter should stop the phone calls. Good luck. I am sorry to hear about your health.

It sounds like you are a very responsible person....and creditors will work with you....but you need to talk with a manager or higher...the person calling you is rarely empowered to offer options related to your situation...You can ask for a supervisor...then ask for a manager...

If the company's management is not helpful...write to the OCC..Office of the Comptroller of the Currency...at least for your credit cards....this is the federal governing body for credit card banks...they will forward your complaint to the bank...and they MUST respond to you

For any other loans...ask for a manager too...and if the bank doesnt respond appropriately...send a complaint letter to the FDIC Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation....they will investigate your complaint for you

Most banks will settle your debt for less that you owe...you just have to reach someone empowered to do that...If NOTHING works...you can send a "cease and desist"letter to each creditor...and by law they cannot contact any more...ever..