Debt collectors can't arbitrarily inflate your balance, but that doesn't mean the amount you owe won't change over time. Getty Images/iStockphoto

When a debt goes unpaid long enough, it often ends up in the hands of a collection agency. For many borrowers, that's when the stress truly begins, starting with calls and letters and eventually escalating to threats of further action, like lawsuits and wage garnishment . Those types of aggressive debt collection tactics can make an already difficult financial situation feel even worse, but the frustration can also grow if you notice the amount owed seems higher than you remember. Maybe the balance has ballooned with new charges or fees that weren't there before. But can debt collectors really do that?

It's a question more delinqu

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