just being curious, and messing around bad debt collectors

I haven't been here long, but not only is it the bad debt collectors that give their business a bad name, but these "trolls" that come here and try to upset the apple cart by telling them they "ought to work something out with the CA" when they don't even owe anything.

Or give them false info. Are collectors really that evil? Or is it that they don't want people to know the truth, because if everyone knew their rights and how to get out of debt, collectors would be out of a job?

Why are they so worried? Collectors will always have a job, as long as there are debts. But some don't care about people's rights, they just want to get their money
by whatever means possible. I realize trolls exist at about every forum, and if they are not trolls, maybe they just act like it.

I realize we all can give wrong info from time to time, but when a person does it all of the time to upset people, I think it's wrong.

Maybe a lot of bill collectors think anyone that might be a debtor is scum, and debtors think likewise about bill collectors.

Well, that's all I got to say, like I said, just curious and just messing. It's just a shame some people will resort to anything to get what they want.Even if it violates laws and human rights.

1. Are collectors really that evil? Some are, there was one case where a consumer's account was sent to a collection by a funeral home and a collector threatened to dig the consumer's parents out of the ground and set them on their doorstep if he didn't pay.

2. The CAs that operate illegally don't want you to know your rights because they won't be able to get money when they resort to illegal tactics. To companies like ye old Bass and Associates which generally threaten to have consumers to be charged with things like "interstate wire fraud" and for them to be arrested at work, etc. were able to scare people into paying exorbitant amounts because people didn't know they were not allowed to do that.

3. Some of these trolls may not be collectors at all, just people who like to stir the pot and create drama, or they may have a grudge against the site and want to try to shut us down or take away the prestige that we have gathered so far in order to try to shut it down.

I recently looked into some debt consolidation companies. I told the few, that I called, that I'm JUST interested in what their programs have to offer, information, etc. ALREADY I guess these programs just ASSUME I'm gonna go through them...everyone one of tem sent me a 'contract' to sign.The 'contract' had their monthly paym,ent on their, a place where I can 'lug-in' my bank account number, etc. How in the world can they give me an 'estimated' monthly payment, when I haven;t even told them ANYTHING about the amount of my debt? OF COURSE I'm NOT going to give ANYONE my bank account number!! One of these 'comapnies' sent me a 'nasty gram'..saying if I don't "quickly sign the contract" that I am "making them lose money." What kind of crap is that? Never heard of such a thing!! ALSO said they "took time out of their day to write up an 'agreement' for me and I should 'honor' that. What is this world coming to?LOL

those have scam written all over them chargers.that is incredible.they never heard of (no obligation consultation)huh?

I believe you're right, PAUL. Seems like they ARE a scam, if they are getting THAT pushy. Especially for something I never asked for in the first place.

I really am a debt collector and not here to stir up trouble. When I say "try to work something out with a collector", that advice only pertains to situations when you owe the debt. 99% of my accounts are pretty "fresh" meaning they went from original creditor to the company I work for so it's pretty easy to follow the chain of ownership. If the "debtor" is disputing the debt, I walk them through the steps to follow up on it. It's not as simple as requesting a debt validation letter from us. If the consumer has already paid I need to see cancelled checks or settlement letters from the previous creditor. I want to help the consumer clean things up. I will take the time to walk someone though all the steps of "what might happen next". Not many collectors are either knowledgeable or patient enough to do this. And if the debtor is not disputing the debt and doesnt want to or cant pay, I tell them the natural consequences. Most people dont want to hear the outcome and I could sugarcoat it, but that doesnt do anyone any favors. And after I spent a month or two trying to get someone on the phone and then they give me all sorts of excuses and refuse to set up even a small payment plan.... or they fall back on stall tactics like asking for letter after letter, then claiming they never received them... at some point I have to cut my losses.... so I recommend the account for suit action. Do I have to? Lots of times I dont, but everyone gets sick of having their chain jerked and Im no different. Some days I feel like the goat at the school playground and every bully is after my ass. No big deal, it is what it is.

Debt colsolidators.... never used one, would never recommend one. Nothing good can come from purchasing something that advertises on late night TV. I am almost curious enough about the job to go get one doing it.... but my impression is that anything they can do, the consumer can do for themselves. Just takes tenacity and some organization skills.

previous post was mine

I want to..I really do. This is the 2 home I bought, my car I purchased new in 2006. Then because of family issues (elderly mom & dad) the bottom fell out and this was the beginning of a series of life altering events for me. I've had to take vacation days because I didn't have gas to get to work; I've lost weight because I couldn't buy food; I've discontinued every service (ie: cable, cell, etc) that wasn't absolutely necessary. I've tried to find a p/t job but so far I've not had any success. I'm in my 50s...this is not where I'm suppose to be at this point in my life. Can't sell the house because it probably is worth less than the mortgage value...maybe a short sell? Car is pd for..sell the car and find a clunker? I know this is something you or any other CA doesn't want to hear. I had an older pick up truck that my son was using, but I couldn't afford to do that..took the truck back & sold it, now my son hasn't spoken to me for a year.
Dad died, no relationship with son, lost part of my had in an accident(still trying to pay off medical bills). Tell me what how to deal with the CA trying to collect $1400. To them its a small amt but to me it might as well be $14000 or $140000.
I don't even have $14.00.

Thank you for the rational, polite and well written response imadebtcollector, but some of the other debt collectors who have posted have been rude and sometimes abusive. I don't think that all debt collectors are bad, but some are TERRIBLE.

I agree with post that you have been very friendly "I'm a debt collector"
my questions for you would be number one..if the debt is fresh..why and how could it take a month or two trying to get someone on the phone?
question or comment number two would be that validation is often requested when it gets past original creditor because amounts owed are very different and names of who you owe often get changed or are unrecognizable to debtors..
also UNTIL you provide validation of the true debt and that you actually own the debt..the debtor would be stupid to waste time providing you with any type of canceled checks or whatever...what I think I have learned on this site is that until you the collector PROVES something..no one here is obligated to provide you with ANYTHING ..follow the law... be nice..as you have been in your posts and I believe your commissions will reflect this

Well......let me ask a question DEBTCOLLECTOR. Some CA's have called me about debts that are longer on my CR.Debts that are EXTREMELY old...10 years or more. If I ask them for some kind of validation, they tell me " they are not obligated to send me anything." Then they get angry when I tell them, "then I'm sorry, but I can't help you WITHPUT some kind of proof." Usually they just hang up on me.

The debtor could be experiencing denial or disbelief (ignore it and wish that the problem goes away).

The debtor could be consciously and deliberately avoiding contact with the creditor/collection agency for any fear--real or imagined.

The debtor could be actively avoiding contact because he/she does not intend to pay.

Where is the question?

I'd like to add:

Credit is a bad thing. IMO, and I'll tell you why:

1. It is too tempting to borrow more money than you can pay back.

2. Credit card offers: You already have one credit card, and it may have a max of $5000. But if you get more cards, it may be $5000+ max or more on each. You could end up owing Tens of Thousands of dollars. And a most of that (in some cases) is interest and fees.

3. IF something happens, like you lose your income, you can lose everything. Russian Rou-lette with your security.

4. You are paying more that what the items actually cost, because of interest and service charges.

5. People need to stop using credit, and SAVE up for things. Or else, one day you will be hounded by collector and sued in court, and you could lose everything you worked so hard for.

6. Just say no to credit, m'kay??

7. If you cannot say no, never borrow any more than you know you can pay back.

Im guessing you want to know why the collection agency doesnt provide a validation letter when requested? Not sure why it happens at other collection agencies... I do know that when I started as a collector and got requests for letters, my immediate supervisor said it was a stall tactic, ignore the request and push for money now. I understand why the supervisor would say that. Something to remember on this board is that less than five percent of credit goes to collections. And of that five percent less than five percent is collected. The majority of the american public has very little contact with the collection industry and if they do, are very ill-prepared for the event. So instead of dealing with it, out of fear, its ignored.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/servic...,4723421.story

WE know what happens when a toothache is ignored.... same goes for the collection calls.

Back on topic and my experience with letters... lets say I have 300 accounts Im actively working. In a week, I'll probably have less than than a dozen contacts. If I don't get a payment during that initial phone call -- even if that person promises that they are going to pay --- I'll maybe get one payment sent in. A very large majority say they are going to do something (make a payment) and never do. So these are the odds with which a collector works. Especially if you are a new collector. Experienced collectors are allowed to "cherry pick" accounts. They are allowed to filter their accounts by zip code and credit score. People also ask why paid/settled accounts are resold and why fraud accounts arent cleared up....

For the collector, there is no money in these accounts. Is it the collectors job to correct these problem accounts? Or should it be the consumers? Do these explanation sound like excuses or stall tactics? Or what? And consider the percentage of accounts we are addressing here. Five percent of five percent ---that is twenty five out of ten thousand. Not very many.

And I think that when I do have a contact with a debtor, they will tell me what they think I want to hear instead of what they intend to do. And of course as M-star mentions....theres also denial and disbelief.

And to you, debtcollector, it's ok to tell someone they owe money, and they are supposed to take your word for it? Stall tactic? It's the law!! Geez, it's ok for debt collectors to scoff at laws that protect debtors or "alleged" debtors, but you chastise people who don't pay their bills?
I bet you would LOVE that no-one had any rights, so you could just go to people and take their money and property, without substantiated proof that they actually owe the money. Geez, why don't we get rid of all the laws, so people can take money from anyone without fear or repercussions?

P.S. I never heard anything yet about the "supposed collection agency looking for me"

I think it was all a scam. If not, I'll go to court if I have to, but I am sure I have no legit bill hanging over my head.

And if I am right, no problem. I will always fight for the Underdog. I believe people should pay their bills if they can, but do not deserve to be harassed if they cannot.

I am not for anyone that has the money, but refuses to pay what they actually owe. That is wrong.