Question: Mark asks about giving people electronic access to his checking account. When should it be allowed? Dave explains.

Dave Ramsey's advice: I only say watch out for adversarial situations, like with collectors. The reason being is that they will clean you out. They will say they'll only take $1,000 out for a $1,500 account, but they'll take the full amount. If you're fighting with them, don't give them access.

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Question: Tori just settled with her credit card company, but gave them electronic access to her checking account. They said they would send her a letter accepting the settlement amount, but it hasn't arrived yet. They will draft the money out tonight. What will happen?

Dave Ramsey's advice: I hope it goes through, but our experience has been that they lie and will clean you out. This is a huge mistake. Whatever money you put in there, they will take out, and they will keep doing it until they get the full amount. You must get the settlement offer in writing.

Call them back right now and tell them that they can't do the deal ... that there's no money in the account. Get them to send you a letter declaring the settlement, and you will overnight a cashier's check to them. There is a 5% chance that this will happen like they promised. But more than likely, they have lied. Close the account, also.

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Question: Tim is being bombarded by idiots in cubicles. The problem is these creditors are not looking for Tim or his wife but rather the former owners of his telephone number. There are at least 6 or 7 companies calling him. He has informed them several times they are breaking the law by calling him. Tim is starting to have some fun trying to get rid of them.

Dave says You should get a call blocker which will block all calls labeled private. You could sue every one of them but that wouldn't be any fun and would take too much time. The easy solution is to get an air horn and teach them a lesson.

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