Herald-Times, Bloomington, Ind., Rod Spaw column

Mar 14, 2013 (Herald-Times - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Know your rights when collector calls Q: Yesterday, I had a phone call from a person who said they were collecting a past due debt, but was unwilling to give basic information about what that debt was. When I insisted on getting the name of the person and business for whom she worked, I was told it was the Regional Adjustment Bureau. When asked for my date of birth and Social Security number, I refused and hung up. Moreover, I'm sure I don't have any outstanding debts. What can you find out about this place and what should I do if I receive another call R.B., Bloomington A: Google tells me the Regional Adjustment Bureau is a private collection agency. That's all I need to know to reach for my trusty guide to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and to encourage you to do the same.

Whether you owe a debt or not -- and not owing a debt doesn't make you safe from these calls -- there are strict guidelines about what third-party debt collectors are allowed to do. The law stipulates when a debt collector may call, who they may call and how aggressive they can be.

Importantly, they must provide you in writing with an account of any debt they think you owe and they must cease trying to contact you if you request in writing that they stop. If they don't play by the rules, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, which oversees the act. You also can report them to the Indiana Secretary of State's office and the Better Business Bureau.

If you go to this story at www.HeraldTimesOnline.com, you can download a brochure that summarizes consumer rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

Dog park great, but a little muddy Q: The new dog park by Griffy Lake is great, but it's gotten so much use that the ground has been churned into a muddy mess. What does the city plan do about that J.G., Bloomington A: Mick Renneisen, director of the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, said in an email that there was not sufficient time to develop substantial turf at the Ferguson Dog Park before it opened in October.

The field will be overseeded this spring, according to Renneisen, who noted that long-range plans call for fencing in an additional three areas. That not only will permit for separation of big dogs and small dogs, but it will allow parts of the grass to "rest and recover" from canine cavorting. Renneisen said that ultimately will address the problem of overuse.

Improvements at Ferguson Dog Park will be made as the Parks Foundation is able to raise funds for the work. For more information or to make a donation, contact Karin St. John, Executive Director of the Parks Foundation. www.bloomingtonparksfoundation.org.

Write to Hotline, c/o The Herald-Times, P.O. Box 909, Bloomington, IN 47402, or email hotline@heraldt.com, using "Hotline Inquiry" as the subject line. Include your name, city and phone number. We cannot answer all inquiries.

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