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= Help:Contents =
= Help:Contents =


Thank you for visiting Lockwiki! This page has information that should help you get started with browsing, searching, and contributing to the site. Further help is available in the Help namespace, see [http://www.tendwatches.com replica watches ] for a full list of Help pages.
Thank you for visiting Lockwiki! This page has information that should help you get started with browsing, searching, and contributing to the site. Further help is available in the Help namespace, see [[:Category:Help]] for a full list of Help pages.




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== Browsing & Searching Lockwiki ==
== Browsing & Searching Lockwiki ==


Lockwiki is free to browse, without requiring users to log in. If you are new to locksport, locksmithing, or physical security in general, the [http://www.tendwatches.com  replica watches ] has many links that will help you get started. If you know what you are looking for, the search bar on the left of the page can be used to search the site. The Go button will redirect you to the first result found, and the search button will list all possible matches. If no match is returned you will be prompted to modify your search criteria.
Lockwiki is free to browse, without requiring users to log in. If you are new to locksport, locksmithing, or physical security in general, the [[Main_Page|Main Page]] has many links that will help you get started. If you know what you are looking for, the search bar on the left of the page can be used to search the site. The Go button will redirect you to the first result found, and the search button will list all possible matches. If no match is returned you will be prompted to modify your search criteria.


By default Lockwiki only searches the "Main" and "Image" namespaces, which means that Category, Help, and Lockwiki (policies/site information) pages are not included. Depending on what you are searching for, including these in your search may be helpful. If you are a logged in user you can modify the default search namespaces by changing your "Search" options at [[Special:Preferences]].
By default Lockwiki only searches the "Main" and "Image" namespaces, which means that Category, Help, and Lockwiki (policies/site information) pages are not included. Depending on what you are searching for, including these in your search may be helpful. If you are a logged in user you can modify the default search namespaces by changing your "Search" options at [[Special:Preferences]].
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[[Category:Help| ]]
[[Category:Help| ]]
== You have rights in dealing with collectors of old debts ==
Here’s a hypothetical case that is all too real.
Our consumer (let’s call her Sara) has worked for the past several years to restore her credit rating. Sara had fallen on hard times and ran up a number of bills. Then her wallet was stolen and the thief used a credit card inside to run up hundreds of dollars in charges.
Now that her credit score is heading back up, Sara is doing all she can to keep her financial record clean. Then comes the telephone call announcing that she is still liable for some of those old debts.
The call comes from what are known as [http://www.shiftwatches.com replica watches ]scavenger debt collectors. Their companies buy old debts that creditors have written off for a variety of reasons. The scavengers make the rounds to collect cash from people who no longer are obligated to pay those old debts.
The scavenger collection agencies purchase what sometimes are called “zombie debts” from all sorts of lending sources, usually at pennies or even fractions of a cent on the dollar. The scavengers are out to make whatever they can above their costs — which are minimal in relation to the total dollar value of the original loans — often by any means necessary.
Those methods may include misrepresentation, pressure and threats. The debt collectors might call and suggest they’re ready to start legal proceedings if you don’t pay a sizable part of your “debt” right now. They might haggle, offering first to take 80 percent of the original debt, then lowering the amount to 70 percent. More resistance might lead to a conference with “the manager,” who then will agree to 50 percent — if you send a check within five days.
Initial reluctance might prompt the collectors to call back and turn up the heat. They might call at odd hours, or phone your neighbors or your employer. It’s time to fight back.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is a federal law (administered by Maine’s Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection, 800-332-8529) that regulates debt collection. It prohibits threats, coercion and harassment. It states that collectors can call only between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m., and they can’t call you at work if you tell them not to.
You might want to talk with the debt collector the first time you’re called to get the specifics: how much do you allegedly owe, when and for what, and to whom is the money owed. Don’t admit to owing anything; instead, ask for all the details in writing. By law the collector has to mail you the specifics within five days of that call.
Check the written details against your credit report. You might discover that the debt is so old the statute of limitations has run out (check with someone with legal expertise on this point). If you believe you do not owe the money, write a certified letter to the collection agency and pay for a return receipt so you can prove your letter was delivered. In the letter, demand that the company stop contacting you.
Do all you can to avoid problems by paying your bills on time. Keep an eye on your credit score; you’re allowed one free report each year from each of the major rating firms (Equifax, Experian and Trans Union). By getting one report every four months, you can keep an eye on your credit history — and help keep the scavengers at bay.
Consumer Forum is a collaboration of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast CONTACT, Maine’s membership-funded, nonprofit consumer organization. Individual and business memberships are available at modest rates.

Revision as of 16:00, 3 July 2012

Help:Contents

Thank you for visiting Lockwiki! This page has information that should help you get started with browsing, searching, and contributing to the site. Further help is available in the Help namespace, see Category:Help for a full list of Help pages.


Browsing & Searching Lockwiki

Lockwiki is free to browse, without requiring users to log in. If you are new to locksport, locksmithing, or physical security in general, the Main Page has many links that will help you get started. If you know what you are looking for, the search bar on the left of the page can be used to search the site. The Go button will redirect you to the first result found, and the search button will list all possible matches. If no match is returned you will be prompted to modify your search criteria.

By default Lockwiki only searches the "Main" and "Image" namespaces, which means that Category, Help, and Lockwiki (policies/site information) pages are not included. Depending on what you are searching for, including these in your search may be helpful. If you are a logged in user you can modify the default search namespaces by changing your "Search" options at Special:Preferences.

It might also be easier to browse by looking at the list of all categories or all pages.

Contributing to Lockwiki

Anyone can contribute to Lockwiki, with or without registering an account. It is recommended that you use an account to contribute, because otherwise your network IP address information is stored publicly on Lockwiki pages. See the Lockwiki:Privacy policy for more information.

Make sure that all contributions follow Lockwiki's copyright policies as well as those of the United States and your country.

In some cases, excessive spamming or vandalism on a page forces it to be blocked from anonymous edits. In other cases, the page is deemed high-profile or otherwise sensitive and editing is restricted to administrators (for example, most Lockwiki policies).

How can I contribute?

There are many ways to contribute to Lockwiki, all of which are helpful to the site and those that read it.

Create new pages
To create a page: click a red link, visit the page directly (via URL), or search for it. Once you get to the page, you can start adding information to the page. Please use Help:Editing for style and editing guidelines. You can visit Special:WantedPages for a list of linked to but uncreated pages. Lockwiki:Requested_articles also lists reader/editor requests for new pages.
Edit existing pages
To edit an existing page, click the edit link at the top of the page. Many pages are lacking information that would make them more informative and interesting. The best example are stubs; articles that don't have enough information. For more information on tagging, creating, and expanding stubs, see Help:Stubs.
Categorize pages
Categories are an important part of Lockwiki that allow users to quickly find relevant information on a particular topic. You can contribute by properly categorizing articles either by adding them to existing categories or creating new categories for them to be added to. Please see Help:Editing for guidelines on categorization.
Upload images
High quality images are a great way to contribute to the site. To upload a file, you must be logged in and a Upload File link will appear in your toolbox on the left side under the navigation menu. Various filetypes are restricted for security reasons, so you'll need to keep your image in one of the following common formats: jpg, png, gif. For more help with images see Help:Images.
Expand Help pages
The Help namespace (that you're reading right now) can always use extra help to make Lockwiki more thoroughly documented. This follows the same rules as editing normal pages, but with the stipulation that they should be geared to helping editors or readers learn about or use the site. To see all existing Help pages, visit Category:Help.
Non-technical contributors
You don't need to have a massive lock collection or be an expert locksmith to contribute to the site. There are many other ways you can help:
  • Lockwiki logo designs
  • Graphics; Lockwiki themed buttons, vector art, and lock diagrams
  • Web design; new or improved CSS and Wiki templates
  • Grammar and spelling corrections to any part of the site
  • Notify administrators of any copyright material on this site, or of improperly used Lockwiki material on another site
  • Promote the site! Add a link to Lockwiki.com on your peronsal website/forum/blog
Donations
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Contacting Lockwiki

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See also

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