I wonder if collection agencies can access information from other sources such as INS (to get SSN), or current phone company (to get new phone number), or USPS (to get new address)... Just want to know in general what power they have over consumers beside making entries in credit report and sue by law. Thanks I know they can call friends/relatives... but only people they know (maybe from reference form or some papers being filled before). But they can only call once. However, I would like to know if they do have the right to access to my privacy information in phone company, government (INS/IRS), USPS, employers (past, current), or school (past, current). I just don't know what they are. Any help please?