subject: How to Deal with Collection Calls [print this page] How to Deal with Collection Calls How to Deal with Collection Calls
Every March, government agencies and non-profit organizations team up for National Consumer Protection Week to bring Americans up-to-date information about privacy protection, money management, and how to avoid scams and fraud. A common one for example, happens when a collection agency demands payment for an old debt that has exceeded the statute of limitations. Here are some ways consumers can protect themselves from such collection calls.
If you are receiving collection calls remember some key rules. First, stay calm. If the collector is rude, threatening, and demanding, write down what they say, ask their name and operator number, and make a notation as to the date, time, and phone number. Next, don't give into demands that sound unfair or unreasonable. Collectors may use tactics that are intended to upset the consumer in hopes that the payment will be sent to stop the calls. Next, while you may be tempted to try to explain yourself, admit that you owe money, or argue as to why you do not, you are speaking to the wrong person. There is only one effective way to handle this situation: do not engage with the caller and hang up the phone after conveying your wishes not to be called further.
When companies buy old debts from a bank or other creditor, their desire is to be paid and not to accept any other result. The collectors have no records despite what they may say to the contrary and are looking at nothing more than a computer screen showing whatever has been incorporated into an electronic file. Such information is not reliable and in fact, it does not matter at all as long as the collector can get payment.
People often want to determine if these collection calls are a scam by turning the tables on the collector and asking their own questions. We suggest otherwise as it only leads to helping the debt collector.
To avoid scammers, do not give or confirm' personal information such as banking, credit card or social security number. If you ask collectors to verify your personal information and they cannot, the collector is likely not from a legitimate collection agency.
Collection harassment is a violation of your rights and it is very upsetting to those who are targeted. If possible, keep communication between you and debt collectors to written correspondence only. If the company responds in writing, save every letter as these can be important in ways that are not immediately apparent and will also prove what has been stated between you and the collection company.
Follow these simple rules and put fraudulent debt collection calls behind you for good.
