Watch for debt collector scams on social

Social media is where you watch cooking videos, gaze at photos of dreamy travel destinations and doomscroll through news headlines. Now, sites like Instagram, Facebook and Twitter could also be where debt collectors slide into your DMs.

In late 2021, rule changes under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act went into effect that specify how third-party debt collectors can communicate through social media, email and texts.

Consumer advocates like April Kuehnhoff, a staff attorney at the National Consumer Law Center, are concerned that these rules could lead to confusion and an uptick in scams.

"It’s much cheaper to use electronic communications to reach out to more people. We’ll see a rise in the number of illegitimate actors who are impersonating debt collectors and emailing, direct messaging or texting people in an attempt to get them to pay money for debts that they don’t actually owe," Kuehnhoff says.

Spotting the signs and knowing your rights can help you guard against unfair and fraudulent debt collection practices.

How to recognize red flags

The message isn't private: Debt collectors can request to join your friends or followers as long as they tell you they’re debt collectors. However, the FDCPA states that all communications must be private. That means messages can’t be visible to the public or people in your network on the platform. If you receive a message that others can see, that signals a bad actor.

Important information is missing: Debt collectors are legally obligated to share specific details about the debt, including the amount owed, the creditor’s name and information about your rights.

"If someone’s just saying ‘I’m a debt collector’ and nothing else, I would definitely be suspect from the start," says Katie Bossler, a quality assurance specialist at GreenPath, a nonprofit credit counseling agency.

You're threatened or harassed: "Sometimes scammers will threaten consumers with arrest or deportation or try to scare them into paying quickly," Kuehnhoff says. It's illegal for collectors to make threats or use violent or profane language.

A collector also cannot legally sue you if the debt is time-barred or past the statute of limitations. How do you know if your debt is time-barred? Research your state’s laws and review your payment history on your credit reports.

You're asked to make an unusual payment: Fraudsters often seek fast payment through difficult-to-recover methods. A legitimate debt collector won’t pressure you to pay using questionable means such as a money transfer, bitcoin terminal or prepaid card, Kuehnhoff says.

Know and protect your rights

The FDCPA gives you certain protections. For example, you can opt out of communications. Collectors are required to provide an easy, free way to end social media contact. That won’t erase a real debt, however.

You also have the right to dispute a debt that you believe is incorrect or not yours. However, you’ll have to submit a written request within 30 days of receiving notice if you want to dispute or get more information about the debt. Information on how to do either must be included in the collector’s initial communication to you.

How can you verify the debt and the collector? Bossler suggests starting with pulling your free credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com. "Make a list of the debts that you owe: the creditors, the balances, the account numbers. The debt collector will often reference the last four digits of the account number," Bossler says.

You may be dealing with a collection department for the original creditor, making it easier to match up details. But the original creditor may have sold the debt to an outside company. That third-party collector should provide information such as their name, company and mailing address. Use these details to double-check their authenticity.

Even if everything checks out, don’t feel pressured to pay right away. Making a payment could revive a debt that was past the statute of limitations.

If a debt collector violates your rights or you encounter a scam, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or your state attorney general’s office.

Lauren Schwahn is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: lschwahn@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @lauren_schwahn.