Zombie Debt
Definition of 'Zombie Debt 'A type of bad debt that is so old a person may have forgotten he or she owed it in the first place. The debt has likely been given up on by the company to which it was owed. Zombie debt can haunt a debtor if a debt collector buys the debt for a low price from the company in attempt to recover the owed funds. |
|
Investopedia explains 'Zombie Debt 'If someone is being hounded by debt collectors for zombie debts that were either already paid off or were never incurred, action can be taken. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, a person can write a letter to debt collectors asking them to stop. At that point, debt collectors can contact the debtor only to notify him or her that they will cease or take a specific action.Note that if you do owe money, the debt collectors can still take you to court to recover the funds, assuming that the time period from the last payment has not exceeded the juristiction's statute of limitations. |
|
Related Definitions
Articles Of Interest
-
The Curse Of Zombie Banks
They may not eat brains, but zombie banks definitely hurt the economy. Find out more about this unstoppable horde. -
Haunting Wall Street: The Halloween Terminology Of Investing
Beware of zombies and Jekyll and Hyde companies! Read about the spooky terms circulating Wall Street. -
Sorting Out Cult Stocks
Is that crazy product going to be the next big thing? Learn how to evaluate these companies here. -
Chasing Down Biotech Zombie Stocks
Find out whether you have "living dead" stocks lurking in your portfolio. -
Dawn Of The Zombie Debt
Are old debts coming back to haunt you? We'll show you how to keep these zombies from eating you alive. -
What happens if a company doesn't think it will collect on some of its receivables?
The accounts receivable account, or receivables for short, is created when a company extends credit to a customer based on a sale. However, there are times when a company will not collect on ... -
Who bears the risk of bad debts in securitization?
Bad debts arise when borrowers default on their loans. This is one of the primary risks associated with securitized assets, such as mortgage-backed securities (MBS), as bad debts can stop these ... -
4 Credit Card Rewards Gimmicks Revealed
Credit card rewards programs are everywhere, but some are more rewarding than others. Learn to spot the "rewards" that can leave you feeling like a loser. -
Financial Risks That Don't Pay Off: The Cost Of Reckless Financial Behavior
Despite the recessions, citizens continue to take financial risks and spend outside of their means without fully appreciating the potential consequences for both themselves and the wider economy. -
10 Steps To Help Erase Errors On Your Credit Report
According to a study conducted by the Federal Trade Commission, one in four consumers identified errors on their reports that might affect their credit rating in 2013.
Free Annual Reports