What is Zombie Debt?

As a consumer bankruptcy attorney I know that one of the biggest issues for bankruptcy clients is their financial future and their credit reports after the bankruptcy discharge is entered.  I counsel my bankruptcy clients to monitor their credit reports at least once a year, preferably every six months.  They need to be on the look-out for incorrect personal information, incorrect trade-lines, and zombie debts.  What are zombie debts?  Zombie debts are debts that just will not die, no matter how old and un-collectable they are.I’ve had many clients over the years have to deal with zombie debt collectors.  It usually starts with a phone call from a debt collector attempting to collect the debt.  The phone call starts out normal and then things quickly go down hill.  The debt collectors will not give away any information about the debts.   I instruct all clients to  immediately  start questioning the debt collectors about the status of the debt, and I do not want them to answer any questions.  I do not want them to acknowledge the debt in any way, or even worse, by  making a payment on the debt.

If you are contacted by a zombie debt collector, get as much information as you can on the phone about the collector, debt, amount owed, when they received the debt for collection, who they received the debt from, and the debt collector’s name.  Demand that they send you a letter to attempt to collect the debt.   Then call the best lawyer you can to protect your legal rights.  If you filed for bankruptcy, immediately call your bankruptcy attorney.