As a former telephone solicitor for a debt collection agency I have to call [***] on your comment. In fact, most debt collectors work on a commission basis - many for collection firms that has bought stale debt for pennies on the dollar, with much of that legally uncollectable as it is aged passed statutory limits for legal collection. I've even worked accounts where the debtor had actually PAID the debt to the original lender or vendor and the collector will continue to harass the alleged debtor.
Collectors are TAUGHT methods for extorting debtors, including threats, humiliation, and harassment. Many will ignore even written demands for ceasing contact with the debtor, or will simply pass it on to a different collector requiring the alleged debtor to initiate yet another round of confrontation.
Debt collectors seldom if ever make any attempt to verify the information that they have is correct before harassing people. I myself once got a new cell phone with a new number that apparently belonged previously to a person that had many unpaid bills. For MONTHS I was inundated with calls from a half-dozen different debt collectors looking for the previous owner of the cell number, not one of which ceased calling even AFTER I informed them that they had the wrong number and the wrong person. Two continued to call and harass me even AFTER I sent them Cease and Desist letters by registered mail.
Frankly, "honest" debt collectors are rare because there is no incentive to be diligent or honest and every incentive to harass alleged debtors.
BTW, as a collector I was taught that it is nearly impossible for an alleged debtor to prove harassment unless they record the call, which the debtor cannot legally do in most states without informing the collector that the call is being recorded. We were taught to behave ourselves if the alleged debtor indicated the call was being recorded, and to terminate a recorded discussion.
So, "Friend of Collectors", I have to call your comment [***].
Was contacted by a Mrs.Whitaker in regards to a "Mastercard account" that was "opened" fraudulantly in my name. The lady was rude and sketchy on the phone and said I needed to send a dispute. She had my address and the last 4 of my Social Security Number. I googled the number she called from and the fax number she gave me and both had been previously recorded as scammers.
Over 450,000 people in this country are debt collectors. They are normal people. Why avoid a debt collector? Most people that owe a debt want to pay it in a manner they can afford. If you cannot agree on terms or you do not want to pay for any other reason, it does no good to avoid contact. The collector has no idea what your situation is until you tell them and you may be surprised with what they are willing to do to HELP you. If you tell a debt collector you will not or cannot pay, they usually will not want to waste their time calling you and look for other options instead. Debt collectors are normal people despite the inflated reputation the media has given them from abusive practices by a few bad apples. I would hate to judge every athlete by the actions of one cheater, or every teacher by the one who had illegal relations with a student.
As a former telephone solicitor for a debt collection agency I have to call [***] on your comment. In fact, most debt collectors work on a commission basis - many for collection firms that has bought stale debt for pennies on the dollar, with much of that legally uncollectable as it is aged passed statutory limits for legal collection. I've even worked accounts where the debtor had actually PAID the debt to the original lender or vendor and the collector will continue to harass the alleged debtor.
Collectors are TAUGHT methods for extorting debtors, including threats, humiliation, and harassment. Many will ignore even written demands for ceasing contact with the debtor, or will simply pass it on to a different collector requiring the alleged debtor to initiate yet another round of confrontation.
Debt collectors seldom if ever make any attempt to verify the information that they have is correct before harassing people. I myself once got a new cell phone with a new number that apparently belonged previously to a person that had many unpaid bills. For MONTHS I was inundated with calls from a half-dozen different debt collectors looking for the previous owner of the cell number, not one of which ceased calling even AFTER I informed them that they had the wrong number and the wrong person. Two continued to call and harass me even AFTER I sent them Cease and Desist letters by registered mail.
Frankly, "honest" debt collectors are rare because there is no incentive to be diligent or honest and every incentive to harass alleged debtors.
BTW, as a collector I was taught that it is nearly impossible for an alleged debtor to prove harassment unless they record the call, which the debtor cannot legally do in most states without informing the collector that the call is being recorded. We were taught to behave ourselves if the alleged debtor indicated the call was being recorded, and to terminate a recorded discussion.
So, "Friend of Collectors", I have to call your comment [***].
fast talking woman left name of Jill Crawford prelimanary documentation wants to send out to me! I DONT THINK SO. will not call back plus left a whole different number to call back on which is 757-204-6299 no way would i even thjink of calling back