Debt Collectors and Intimidation Tactics
There is probably nothing more frustrating then being in debt and having your telephone ring off the hook with debt collectors who just don’t know when to stop. Try telling these guys about your situation and you get nowhere. They couldn’t care less. Why? They are being paid to collect on the debt you owe. They have a job to do and listening to your financial woes isn’t it. To top it off, they try to blame you for circumstances you often had nothing to do with creating and demand payment immediately “How are you going to take care of this today?” they ask. Frankly, if you had the money to pay the debt right then and there, you would not be in so much debt because you would have taken care of this long ago, right?
Debt collectors are famous for their intimidation tactics. This borders on illegal and often crosses the line. They call repeatedly. They threaten you. They promise that only one person is handling the account and you will only ever hear from them. However, lo, and behold, you get a call a few days later from the same collection company and it is, indeed, a different agent. Just because you’re in debt does not mean you have to tolerate the added stress of debt collector intimidation.
Make Them Listen
Debt collection agents like to talk, trying to tell you how much debt you have and what you have to do to solve the problem. As if you were not already in the know, right? Cut them off. Tell them where you sit financially. Tell them you will pay the debt as soon as you are able. Make them listen. Even if they act like they do not care, be stern. You have the right to tell them your side of the story. Then, kindly ask them not to harass you as much or even at all. This might not stop it, but there will typically be a recording of your having asked, and often, it does reduce or eliminate the calls. If it doesn’t, there are other steps to take.
Bankruptcy
Planning to file? Make it clear to the collectors. They know there is little they can do to collect on this debt now. It will reduce or even eliminate the calls, at least for some time. Be sure to follow through on the bankruptcy filing, as after a while, they will resume collection attempts if you have not taken any action.
Assert Your Rights
Put a stop to the calls. Write a cease and desist letter to the collection agency. You can find out how to do this on the FTC website. Let them know that you know your rights and demand that they leave you alone. Keep a copy of the letter. The collection agency can contact you one last time, through the mail, to inform you of their intent, however, after this, if their harassment persists, they can wind up in big trouble.
Don’t take debt collector harassment lying down! It’s one thing for those who are irresponsible to be in the bad way financially, but for most of us, life happened, and we can do little about it at the moment. Life comes with enough stress. Don’t let these guys add to it.
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