 TITLE: Can a Collection Agency Sell Your Debt? CONTENT: How to Deal With Accounts in Collections\n----------------------------------------\nDo you have an account in collections? If so, don't panic—but don't ignore the debt, either. Here are four tips for dealing with an account in collections:\n1.  Request that the debt collector stop contacting you. Under federal law, a debt collector typically must stop contacting you once you ask them to do so in writing. After your written request is received, a debt collector can only reach out to say you won't be contacted any longer or that you're being taken to court.\n2.  Consider negotiating the debt. Believe it or not, debt collectors may agree to a lump-sum payment to settle the debt, or may work out a repayment plan with you. Ask what options are available to you.\n3.  Figure out who gets the money. Before you pay a penny, be certain about who will get the debt payments. If the original lender is trying to collect the money, then your payments go to them. But if a debt collector is working on behalf of the lender or your debt has been sold to another debt collector, you'll make payments to the appropriate collector.\n4.  Weigh whether to hire an attorney. If you and the debt collector can't resolve the situation, and especially if the debt collector threatens to sue you, you may want to enlist legal help. END