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Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 2:24 pm Subject: Dealing with Bottom Feeders

I find it disturbing that so many people do not heed good advice and continue to communicate with the Bottom Feeder type collection agencies by continuing to accept calls from them or communicating by email or fax. I read lines like "I told them to send me a validation and they said they don't have to" or "I faxed them a cease communication letter and they ignored it." Communication without documentation is pointless. It just opens up another conduit for inimidation. If they hear emotion in your voice or sense it in your email it is like bleeding in a shark tank. They will just swarm to the opportunity. These people are working on a commission/bonus program. If they see a chance to get paid they will keep after you until you give them something. Sort of like an agressive panhandler. Got a dollar, how about some spare change? By the end of the block he has your dollar that you gave him just to make him leave you alone. Put out that fire from the first spark. Send that debt validation letter along with a cease communication letter out immediately after first contact from these people.Make sure you include every single item they are required under the fdcpa to produce. If they send only part of whats required send them another letter telling them they failed and why. Don't think it is to your advantage to make a sport out of emailing back and forth or sending faxes. They will scoff at them. Let them know you know your rights under the law and are ready to fight them tooth and nail. Do not let them see you sweat.
No communication without documentation!!

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 2:54 pm Subject:

You have put some valid points. Thanks for the heads up. Every person needs to be informed about his/her consumer rights so that it is easier to deal with the bottom feeders. Not everyone in the collection industry is a jerk. We have few good people from the industry who give their suggestions on this board and tell us how to deal with the jerks. Never feel intimidated and be aware of your rights. That's the key to keep these people in the best of their behavior

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 5:15 pm Subject:

I agree....we need to print our rights out and keep them by the phone..I recieved a phone call 2 weeks ago in Re: to a complaint I filed...duh! I didn't call back...I emailed...and said here is my response...I copied the original email of my laws, etc. I keep that sheet by the phone on my desk here at home...if they call I will just read it to them.

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 10:16 pm Subject: frog

frog, I can't agree more. Has anyone noticed that I tend to over use the word "documentation" in my posts? LOL! I don't believe in communicating with these people via telephone. No documentation of the lies, threats, etc. I want it all in writing. To me, documentation is the key. You can always refer back to it, you can resend it, you can provide it to the agencies who respond to you. And there it all is, in black and white, so the pdl's can't claim "innocence". Documentation....that's the key.

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 6:35 am Subject:

I agree with this tactic.A person can never have too much documentation and there is no reason to speak with people that refuse to honor laws.

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 8:05 am Subject:

People can easily say that they never received a fax or email. I get 30-40 emails a day at work and the spam filters catch quite a few that they shouldn't and let some through that they shouldn't. Many emails that I send don't go through

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 9:08 am Subject:

You are so right- document-document-document!! I have been dealing with LVNV and their many names for a year and a half. A couple of months ago I accidently picked up the phone and it was them. They proceeded to tell me a bunch of cr$p and so I got out my papers of all phone calls,dates, etc., and said, well I spoke to you on such and such day and you said this. Also, so and so called Wells Fargo and gave them our names without our permission, and they called us for a loan! I kept reading until she got so flusterd, she was trying to get off the phone- so I said, wait a minute I'm taking notes and can't keep up-she hung up!! I have a file 3 inches thick of letters, notes, copies,etc!!..KAren

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 1:24 pm Subject:

Good for you Bossy! Nice to see some serious bottom feeder butt kicking.

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 7:38 pm Subject: bossy

Karen, I love it! I'm just picturing this stupid pdl collector all frantic trying to get off the phone with you! Yes! That's why we need to keep documentation of EVERYTHING. LOL! Laughing

You were "taking notes and couldn't keep up". That's too good to pass up using!

Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 5:16 am Subject:

Armed with the information from this site and from our friend Cajun Smile

, I have been able to advise my sister in dealing with National Enterprise - one of the worst bottom feeding junk debt buyers - she has now sent them a debt validation letter (certified mail, return receipt, of course!) and is waiting for their response. In the meantime, she receives up to 20 calls a day from them, which she does not answer, because they keep alternately threatening to take her to court if she doesn't pay or telling her "forget paying this debt, we'll see you in court" if she answers. We are waiting to see what happens with the debt validation before proceeding...but this site has been a goldmine of information, and I'm eternally grateful for what I've learned here!

Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 5:39 am Subject:

Thanks Sue,I try to pass on what I learn & read to the people who need it. Hopefully laws can change so a consumer has more rights and the collectors will be forced to follow the law or pay the penalty of non compliance.

Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 5:41 am Subject:

I agree with you there, Cajun....reform is needed! I'm in touch with my sister daily, so I keep on her about not answering the phone when this company calls, because she's not always careful about what she says...and might make a mistake and agree to something she can't afford when they pressure her or upset her. (Just trying to watch out for her!)

Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 9:27 am Subject:

The collectors get real flustered when they find out you aren't! Every time they threaten or talk to me in a threatening manner, I say,ok, hold on you said you were going to do what? After they repeat it, I say,"I thought that's what you said, I was just writing it down and wanted to get it right"!! Then when I tell them they broke a regulation on such and such date by doing the following, and keep talking over them with my notes, they decide it is time to get off the phone!! Good for you Suebee, glad you can help your sister! This forum has become a wealth of info that I have been able to share with others, so that they may not have to go where I went!!..Karen

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