Social Networking Rules for Debtors
The news is full of stories about divorce attorneys who use Facebook, MySpace and other social networking sites to get information about their clients’ soon-to-be exes to use in court. I’ve even blogged about it myself.
However, what is reported on less often is that debt collectors also use these sites to try and collect on delinquent debts. And while the law provides rules on how debt collectors can obtain information about a debtor’s location, it is frustratingly vague on the use of social networking sites.
To protect yourself, you should:
• Never post your personal information – address, phone number, email address, etc.
• Never post your employment information
• Never accept a “friend request” from someone you do not know
• Always use your privacy settings to allow only people you know to view your page
According to an NPR story, one debt collection agency says it regularly joins debtors’ social networks to talk to their friends and find out what they are doing. Going out on a new sailboat? That tells the collector you have an asset they can take.
In addition, if you have filed for bankruptcy, you should never post photos of yourself enjoying a lavish vacation or showing off a new car online.
Greg Gilbert
Keith Maynard
