Debt collectors are on Facebook too

From:
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/pinellas/debt-collectors-chase-people-on-facebook-11182010

19 Nov 2010, 5:49 AM EST

• 
  Jeremy Campbell
  FOX 13 News
• TAMPA - Those resourceful debt collectors. If a knock at the door doesn't work and the phone goes unanswered, they've found a new way to get you: Facebook.
  It's one place a St. Petersburg woman behind on her car payment never expected to find a debt collector.
  "Contacting somebody's family on Facebook was shocking to her and her family," attorney Bill Howard explained.
  Melanie Beacham's attorney saved the Facebook messages in black and white. It all began via text last year. According to her attorney, Beacham replied, giving permission to repossess the vehicle and stop contacting her.
  But that didn't happen. In fact, creditors allegedly sent a message to her Facebook page and to a family member she connects with on the site. She was shocked. Her lawyer filed a motion against Mark One Financial.
  "Right now, what we're seeing is the use of Facebook to harass people and abuse people in mass. It's modern day thuggery. It's a way to harass people into paying money by utilizing one of the most powerful tools in our history," Howard said.
  The company disagrees, stating they do operate within the law. They say their policy is to use Facebook to locate customers when they have a public profile and have not responded through convention means.