What types of information do people who work for third party debt collectors have access to?

What I'm basically asking is, when a debt collector puts your name into a search engine how much of your personal information do they gain? What all do they know about you?

What types of information do people who work for third party debt collectors have access to?
A collection agency has access to your Credit Report (CR). And, unfortunately, have the power/authority to change info in it, as I understand it.





A third party collector, if it is a "junk debt buyer", probably only got very basic info from the original creditor (name, address, amount,...not much else, I think), but it's enough to get them into your credit report.





YOU HAVE DEFENSES:





Go to this site: www.BudHibbs.com and read info there about your rights, what collectors can %26amp; cannot do. Click on "Agencies to Avoid", at the top of the Page, and see if your collector in in the list provided. Read what Bud says about them; read what other Consumers have to say about them.





Follow Bud's advice -- don't give them banking info; make them prove they own the debt; send a "Cease %26amp; Desist" (C%26amp;D) letter.





FREE or very low cost legal service is usually available in most counties. You can usually find these by calling or visiting the websites of state and county social service organizations, the state attorney general, and/or the state bar asociation. Don't hesitate to get legal advice if the collector is harassing you.





IMPORTANT: (If a third party collector is calling, writing) make them PROVE they own the debt!!! "Validation letters" (samples) are available at Bud's site (and at links he provides). I am not a lawyer, but as I understand it, you are NOT obilgated to pay third party collectors, if they can not prove they own the debt. But, please, read info at Budd's site. It is really helpful %26amp; empowering.





If I can be of any more help, please contact me at cosmosclara@hotmail.com.





Good luck to you.





(I gave you more info than you asked for, but I just wanted you to know that IF a collector IS contacting you, you may not owe them a dime and you DO have RIGHTS!! :)
Reply:They have access to all the information that you gave to the creditor that they are working for. They also are talented at finding a lot of information about people.