Debtconsolidationcare.com - the USA consumer forum

Forums
  • Latest topic

citi cards collection

Date: Mon, 04/30/2007 - 08:23

Submitted by anonymous
on Mon, 04/30/2007 - 08:23

Posts: 202330 Credits: [Donate]

Total Replies: 25


I am writing this letter to help you all out. I am a late stage collector (4-6 months) for Citibank, At&T, ANB , and Key Bank Credit Cards. All which are part of the Consumer Card Portfolio for Citi. I am writing this from a collectors standpoint. One we are people most of whom have famlies and children, or we are students working our way through college. I am speaking only from a citi standpoint and no other companies, but we have programs with apr redcutions down to 0% as well as payment reduction programs, though they are based off your CURRENT balance. There are also 5 year programs designed to pay off the acct at a fixed rate of either 9.9% or 0%. Believe it or not we are looking at your account and going damn if they would only pick up the phone and not cuss me out for saying hello I could proably help them out. But 99.9% of people are calling me names before I can get my name out. YES there are collectors that are assholes but chances are the concsumer is being on as well. But all credit cards do have hardship programs and Citi has some great ones. The number to reach Citi is 1-888-309-7367. Mon-Fri 8am-Midnight EST Sat and Sun 8am-9pm EST, If you have a Citi Card call them you will be suprised what they can do for you.

---A Collector / Student


Collector,I appreciate your post and I can understand why you would be upset getting cussed out all the time. I do have very little use for collectors because so many of them treat people like dirt.I do agree that if a person can get into some of them programs they will save money and Citi will get their share too. Please post some info on these programs if you are allowed to and also please post if your office follows the guidelines set out in the fdcpa. I am unsure if you are original creditor or not.


lrhall41

Submitted by cajunbulldog on Mon, 04/30/2007 - 08:49

( Posts: 4850 | Credits: )


IMO, it is the continuous annoying phone calling that angers people until they reach the boiling point.

After four or five calls with no response, it should be obvious to a collector, the person does not want to talk with them.
When people are pushed to answer their phone out of frustration, of course, they are angry.

I had a collector phone one of my neighbor's a month or or so ago.
The collector accomplished nothing as it only made me angry, and motivated me to send them a C&D letter.
The collector called my neighbor for the sole purpose of trying to embarrass me so I would answer my phone.


lrhall41

Submitted by Reesie on Mon, 04/30/2007 - 17:14

( Posts: 122 | Credits: )


That's a good point collector and a good option for people to have. I think what happens though is when people are unable, for whatever reason to make payments on their credit cards they know you are calling and are embarrassed and/or afraid to pick up the phone thinking that the collector is going to be rude and unreasonable. And I know that not all are, I've dealt with very nice collectors before. About seven years ago instead of a call on a credit card I had I received a letter explaining that if I was having problems they could put me in a program to pay off the card. No more interest fees, no more late charges. I could no longer use the card even after I paid it off, but it was worth it and saved me a bunch of hassles. By sending it in the mail I was able to see what plans they had and call back.

Does citi send out letters like that?


lrhall41

Submitted by ramj70 on Tue, 05/01/2007 - 05:18

( Posts: 193 | Credits: )


Answer this collector. How come you reduce yourselves down to scum by calling family members, neighbors, and jobs. To belittle and embarrass the holder of the debt to the point where he doesn't even want to talk to you anymore. How would you feel if they did the very same thing to your wonderful "family"
or started calling your "college" that you are working so hard to get through???
Even after numerous attempts to work work out a payment plan with creditors it just seems like you are only interested in the full amount, and just keep calling even though you know the scoop. And you wonder why we don't want to talk with you. Its like trying to tell a fly to stop banging into a window pain because it thinks its going to get out.


lrhall41

Submitted by on Tue, 05/01/2007 - 19:00

( Posts: | Credits: )


Quote:

Answer this collector. How come you reduce yourselves down to scum by calling family members, neighbors, and jobs. To belittle and embarrass the holder of the debt to the point where he doesn't even want to talk to you anymore. How would you feel if they did the very same thing to your wonderful "family"


That's a very easy question to answer. Some collectors have ethics and morals, some do not. Interesting that you instantly assume this collector is just like the others. He/she could very well be, but since you don't actually know this person, I think you are jumping the gun a little.

Quote:
After four or five calls with no response, it should be obvious to a collector, the person does not want to talk with them.


Abusive collection methods aside, many more debts would go unpaid if there were no collectors attempting to recoup payment. Collectors are given a batch of accounts to call, and their employer requires them to cold call in addition to performing follow up. There is absolutely nothing wrong with any given collector calling you for a legitimate debt when they adhere to all relevant laws.[/quote]


lrhall41

Submitted by Morningstar on Tue, 05/01/2007 - 20:51

( Posts: 1633 | Credits: )


Quote:

Abusive collection methods aside, many more debts would go unpaid if there were no collectors attempting to recoup payment. Collectors are given a batch of accounts to call, and their employer requires them to cold call in addition to performing follow up. There is absolutely nothing wrong with any given collector calling you for a legitimate debt when they adhere to all relevant laws


Sorry, but I don't agree with your opinion.
It depends on what you consider harrassing.

Calling someone twice a day, seven days a week, is nothing short of harrassment.imo

After five or six calls and leaving messages that are not returned, they should assume the person is not willing to talk with them.

This is exactly why the fdcpa put a regulation in place that a debtor can send a C&D letter to seek relief from the phone calls.


lrhall41

Submitted by Reesie on Wed, 05/02/2007 - 13:07

( Posts: 122 | Credits: )


Quote:

you can gain relief from the calls by simply paying what you owe. The fdcpa was not put together as a means for you to get away with not paying your bills.


I can also gain relief by sending a C&D letter if this is what I wish to do.
Whether debtor's pay the debt or not, they do have this option.

I don't know of anyone who has indicated that FDCPA regulations were put together as a means to get out of paying bills. :roll:


lrhall41

Submitted by Reesie on Wed, 05/02/2007 - 14:32

( Posts: 122 | Credits: )


Quote:

After five or six calls and leaving messages that are not returned, they should assume the person is not willing to talk with them.


Quote:
It depends on what you consider harrassing.


That's personal opinion, not legal fact. The law requires them to do no such thing. If you wish to change that, you must either bring about the change through legislation, or in a court of law.

Quote:
This is exactly why the fdcpa put a regulation in place that a debtor can send a C&D letter to seek relief from the phone calls.


Absolutely correct. It is up to each individual debtor to exercise their rights. The failure to do so brings many unwanted calls to people's phones.

Quote:
you can gain relief from the calls by simply paying what you owe.


Thank you, guest, for your highly original and informative post. :roll: No one has ever heard that line before...


lrhall41

Submitted by Morningstar on Wed, 05/02/2007 - 15:32

( Posts: 1633 | Credits: )


Quote:

That's personal opinion, not legal fact. The law requires them to do no such thing.


Apparently, you failed to notice that I ended my statement with "imo".
[quote]Reesie wrote: Calling someone twice a day, seven days a week, is nothing short of harrassment.imo [/quote]

I did not imply the law requires them to do such a thing.

Please don't put words in my mouth.
Thank-you~


lrhall41

Submitted by Reesie on Wed, 05/02/2007 - 15:55

( Posts: 122 | Credits: )


Quote:

Words were not put into your mouth. I did not address the "imo" portion of your post. I replied to the portion a reader might consider as being more factual...I would not a reader to misconstrue that portion of your post as such.


Please advise me what part of my post you are referring to that a reader could misconstrue?

I very clearly stated in my initial post,calling someone twice a day, seven days a week is nothing short of harassing. "imo".

Reader's have their own levels of what they consider harrassment.

I believe most people who have experienced the annoyance of someone calling them twice day,seven days a week, will most likely agree.

I would have let your post slide, but I didn't care for the tone of your comment.
Quote:
The law requires them to do no such thing.


I think the problem here is that someone disagreed with you and maybe you didn't like it. imo








Quote:
Reesie wrote:Sorry, but I don't agree with your opinion.
It depends on what you consider harrassing.

Calling someone twice a day, seven days a week, is nothing short of harrassment.imo

After five or six calls and leaving messages that are not returned, they should assume the person is not willing to talk with them.

This is exactly why the fdcpa put a regulation in place that a debtor can send a C&D letter to seek relief from the phone calls.


lrhall41

Submitted by Reesie on Wed, 05/02/2007 - 18:11

( Posts: 122 | Credits: )


Quote:

Reader's have their own levels of what they consider harrassment.


And they have only themselves to blame for phone calls that do not meet the legal definition of harassment when they fail to exercise their rights. I.e., not sending a CND letter. Happened to me many years ago.

What I don't want a reader to misinterpret:

Quote:
After five or six calls and leaving messages that are not returned, they should assume the person is not willing to talk with them.


Quote:
It depends on what you consider harassing.


I am sorry you have such an emotional reaction to fact:
Quote:
I would have let your post slide, but I didn't care for the tone of your comment.
Quote:
The law requires them to do no such thing.


Quote:
I think the problem here is that someone disagreed with you and maybe you didn't like it. imo


Sorry, I prefer facts, not opinions. If I wanted to argue, I'd call my ex-W. That said, I'm done with this thread.


lrhall41

Submitted by Morningstar on Wed, 05/02/2007 - 19:18

( Posts: 1633 | Credits: )


Quote:

And they have only themselves to blame for phone calls that do not meet the legal definition of harassment when they fail to exercise their rights. I.e., not sending a CND letter. Happened to me many years ago.


Would you advise me exactly what the legal definition of harassment is, please.
There are quite a lot of variables that play into what may be considered harassment in a Court of Law.

Why in the world would a reader misconstrue the following to the extent my comment would do any harm?
Quote:
Reesie wrote:After five or six calls and leaving messages that are not returned, they should assume the person is not willing to talk with them.


I.E.-If you called an acquaintance five or six times, each time leaving a message with a call back number - would you not assume the acquaintance does not wish to talk to you?
In my opinion, the lack of response speaks for itself.


Quote:
Sorry, I prefer facts, not opinions.

Actually, whether you realize it or not, some of your own statements were opinions. :roll:


lrhall41

Submitted by Reesie on Wed, 05/02/2007 - 20:29

( Posts: 122 | Credits: )


Quote:

So after 5 or 6 calls, when a collector deems that you're not willing to talk with them, should the creditor send it right out to their attorney for a lawsuit?


If the situation is such that a debtor sends a C&D letter to a collection agency, after receiving the first phone call - should the creditor send the account right out to their attorney for a lawsuit?


lrhall41

Submitted by on Fri, 05/04/2007 - 07:19

( Posts: | Credits: )


Pay the bill and they wont call you, or at least speak with them and tell them whats going on. You owe them money they have every right to try to collect the debt. So pay the bill. Stop racking up interest and hurting your credit.!!!!!!!!!!!! Why dont people get that? Geez

Quote:

Originally Posted by reesie
imo, it is the continuous annoying phone calling that angers people until they reach the boiling point.

After four or five calls with no response, it should be obvious to a collector, the person does not want to talk with them.
When people are pushed to answer their phone out of frustration, of course, they are angry.

I had a collector phone one of my neighbor's a month or or so ago.
The collector accomplished nothing as it only made me angry, and motivated me to send them a c&d letter.
The collector called my neighbor for the sole purpose of trying to embarrass me so i would answer my phone.


lrhall41

Submitted by on Wed, 09/16/2009 - 21:45

( Posts: | Credits: )


What happens when you call the creditor (that you have been paying on time, for many years) repeatedly asking for help to reduce outrageous (albeit legal) APR/minimum payments and are constantly rejected? What happens when you call yourself, or answer the phone and tell the creditor your situation, and they call back several times in the same day? If the cc companies can afford to close your account and reset the APR to 0% and reduce the payments, why isn't it offered at the time the debtor first calls and asks for help? Why don't they hire regular staffers to help us out instead of forcing us into default?


lrhall41

Submitted by SugarSugar on Thu, 09/17/2009 - 04:12

( Posts: 101 | Credits: )


I did the same thing SugarSugar, when I seen that I was starting to get in trouble, I called my creditors and asked for help, they refused. I defaulted on 4 credit cards, one finally put me on a hardship program, it helped alot, that was about a year ago, and i'm still on tract with them. The other three are now with CA, I keep waiting for the bottom to drop out on those, I'm sure at least one the three will sue me, but I tried to work with the OC on all them, now the balances are so far out there, I don't see how I can possible ever pay them. I get calls here and there and letters here and there from CA, I did try to work with one the CA, but they wouldn't work back with me. Don't mean to ramble on, but I'm like you I did try to get the OC to work with me from the start and I just hit a brick wall. Sad, we would both be in better shape if only they would have.


lrhall41

Submitted by on Thu, 09/17/2009 - 14:50

( Posts: | Credits: )


I'm sorry to read about your situation, Sad. It is unfortunate that it is legal for the cc's to operate this way, they should be better regulated. They are forcing people into bankruptcy by reducing credit limits and asking for thousands for a minimum payment. For the average hard-working American, these rates are impossible and they know it. We were doing fine until they started playing these games. On at least some of my cards, I estimate that we have paid about 5x over our original purchases. I wish you the best of luck in dealing with those CA's!


lrhall41

Submitted by SugarSugar on Thu, 09/17/2009 - 19:27

( Posts: 101 | Credits: )