Neighbors' Collections

[lhead72]

We live next door to a couple who have a history of "creative accounting" with their home finances. Often they end up in collections for their automobiles or anything else that they can do to make end meet. Unfortunately, we have been contacted by many of the creditors/collectors just because we're their neighbor. Over the years, they've come to our door or looked up our name on the internet & called. It's been annoying, but we put up with it. Now, I just received a notification from the IRS, addressed to me, asking for info about our neighbors. Is this normal practice? Just because I'm their neighbor, I shouldn't and don't want my name associated with any of it. What are my rights?

 

[presutin]

In an investigation process by the IRS, it is common practice. You have the right to tell these people that you have nothing to declare and that if they need to gather information, that they should spend the resources to do so without having to bother you. Unfortunately, in today's day and age, companies are doing what they can to recover their items and minimize their losses. If anyone contacts you in the future, just tell them to remove you from their contact lists and not to bother you. Make them aware that violators will be prosecuted. Good Luck!

 

[lhead72]

Thank you for the info. I tried calling the IRS a few times, as they instructed on their letter, but I was on eternal hold and couldn't wait too long. The letter told me to call within 10 days of the date of the letter to remove me from their list, which I received in the mail 8 days after the date of the letter, on the weekend. I just wish there were laws in place to protect people from being contacted about something like this.

Thanks again!