2008-08-26 19:03:03 -

- Credit.com Tony Berlin, 212-317-9179 tberlin@credit.com or MR-PR Mary Reed, 512-441-5212 mrpraustin@gmail.com Credit.com, a leading consumer education and financial services company, has published a new book, Stop Debt Collectors: How to Protect Your Rights and Resolve Your Debts, written by three respected personal finance experts: Credit.com advisor Gerri Detweiler, personal finance writer Mary Reed, and attorney John Ventura.

Stop

Debt Collectors provides consumers drowning in debt with a financial life raft. The book details what to do and not do when contacted by debt collectors and how to exercise debt collection consumer rights. Stop Debt Collectors also covers:

-- What to do when a debt collector contacts you the first time.

-- What to say (and not say) when talking to a debt collector.

-- What debt collectors can really do to collect money.

-- How to respond to high-pressure debt collection tactics.

-- How to settle debts for less than the full amount.

-- When you might need the help of a consumer law attorney.

In addition, the book includes letter templates and a worksheet for recording the details of conversations with debt collectors. A CD included with the book contains an interview with Gerri Detweiler and John Ventura discussing important tips from the book.

"During the current economic troubles, consumers are under siege and debt collectors are adding to the financial problems people are already facing. Many consumers respond to debt collectors in ways that make their situations worse, not better", said Gerri Detweiler. "Mary, John and I wrote Stop Debt Collectors to provide consumers with an easy-to-understand explanation of how to navigate the collection industry."

Aggressive debt collectors are an increasing problem in the U.S. According to the Federal Trade Commission, more complaints were received in 2007 about the debt collection industry than any other industry. Common complaints include harassment by debt collectors who called repeatedly and/or used threatening or profane language and debt collectors threatening illegal actions.

Stop Debt Collectors is available for purchase at www.credit.com/StopDebtCollectors in a downloadable digital version for $19.95, which includes audio files of the interview with the authors. A paperback version of the book that includes the CD is also available at Amazon.com for $29.95.

About The Authors

Gerri Detweiler is a nationally recognized credit expert who has been interviewed about credit and debt by many national as well as local media. Most recently she appeared on CNN's Issue #1 and CNBC's On the Money. Mary Reed is a personal finance writer who has co-authored or ghostwritten 18 books on consumer money matters. She has also written articles on the subject for national magazines. John Ventura is a consumer bankruptcy and consumer law attorney. He is the Director of the Texas Consumer Complaint Center at the University of Houston Law School, an adjunct professor there and the author or co-author of numerous books on consumer debt and consumer law.

About Credit.com, Inc.

Credit.com, a leading consumer education and financial services company, is one of the Web's premier personal finance sites. Credit.com was established in 1995 to give consumers access to comprehensive credit and financial education, straightforward answers, and "best of breed" credit products. The company's goal is to help consumers of any credit standing navigate their financial life stages, from establishing and wisely using credit, to managing and rebuilding it. Credit.com works with industry experts to create clear paths for consumers looking to improve their finances. For more information, please visit: www.credit.com.

Book Aims to Empower Consumers As Debt Collection Complaints Soar