I just don't get CA's and PDL's
Date: Tue, 10/07/2008 - 17:17
First, I have not seen anyone say they should not pay their debts if they are valid. They do say though to make sure what the collector is telling you is the correct amount. Not sure what is wrong with that. After all Federal law does state the consumer has that right. I didn't realize that knowing and acting on your rights is wrong, how about that. You collectors like to talk about abiding by contracts yet you do not want to abide by the law. That is called hypocrisy, so if someone who owns a debt is scum for asking for validation what does that make the collector who breaks the law. You may not like it but everyone has rights.
Second, if you have a credit card, car loan, mortgage, etc. then you are a debtor. The biggest debtor in the nation is the federal government so the term "debtor" is not an insult like you think it is. Grow up.
Third, not paying a debt is not a crime no matter if you want it be or not. There are rules and laws for collecting debts that you must obey whether you like it or not. You can sue them to try and get their money back and you can also report them to the credit bureaus which will affect their credit scores. So there are negative consequences for not paying your debts. However no one has the right to break the law in trying to collect that debt. If the amount you claim they owe is valid then sue them, its that simple. Quit harassing them and sue them to get your money. Of course most of that time that doesn't happen because the amount you claim they owe is not the true amount. You inflate the costs to ridiculous amounts and know the interest and fees you charge are illegal. That is why you harass someone and try to intimidate them, because you are being fraudulent many times in your charges. That is why sites like this piss you off because people find out their rights and learn not to be ripped off anymore. That is why PDL's use unscrupulous CA's to collect for them because they know the loans they give are charging illegal interest rates or are not licensed to do business in that state.
Fourth, you know it would be so much easier on you if you would send all the proof of the debt when you first send you letters. If you sent a copy of the original contract, the payment history, how you came up with the interest and fees and how you are the legitimate collector of that debt then things would be so much easier now wouldn't it. People wouldn't have to ask for proof now would they. However most of the time you do not have that information but yet you expect someone to take your word for it. Well I got a bridge in New York to sell you if you think people should just pay whatever you say they should pay. So, get your act together and get all the paperwork in order and do your friggin job like a professional instead of some unprofessional, boiler room fraud rejects. Don't get mad at people because you can't follow the law or act in a professional manner and carry out your job like a professional. If I acted like some of you nimrod collection agents I would be out of job, which I guess why some of you are in the collections field because you couldn't handle a real professional job that requires intelligence and professionalism.
Regardless if someone refuses to pay a debt or is rude or nasty to you the collector, you still have to obey the rules and laws set down by the Feds and the states. Use the laws open to you, get your facts straight, get your paperwork in order and get judgments against people who don't pay. If you had all your homework done then you wouldn't have to worry about the statute of limitations in states either would you. So if you can't get your act together before the SOL expires then shame on you and don't get upset if the debtor refuses to pay. Of course many of these collections agencies buy these old debts which is why they break the law so much because they know they have no real legal recourse to get their money back. So once again you resort to intimidation, harassment and fraud to get people to pay. Which again is why sites like this piss you off.
So to sum things up after this long rant, you collectors need to get your shit together and within the SOL of the state the person lives in and obey the laws. If you did that then the person owning the debt would not have any excuses now or much of a recourse for not paying now would they.
=)
Ya know, I have worked for a debt collection company in FL for 8 years now and we pride ourselves on being the ANTI CA. Meaning, we totally understand what it's like to owe a debt! We know because we are human beings & have debts just like everyone in our system! We are a small company so it definitely helps that we are treated like a person and not a number by our management, too. Our bosses are constantly telling us to LISTEN LISTEN LISTEN! Let people get mad! Let people rant! They are stressed & maybe embarassed or confused, but LISTEN! We do ask for payment in full, but if people say they can't do that, which lots can't right now, we setup whatever arrangement we can with them.
Basically, if more agencies listened to the consumers and gave them all the options available instead of just barking PIF PIF PIF, we would all be a little less stressed. It's sad that some companies can't follow the laws & it's even worse that they abuse their power & treat other human beings like crap because they have a past due balance. Yes, we want to make money, but who doesn't?
Also, please understand that we collectors are just doing our jobs & it's not always our fault when you want something & we can't do it. For example, we collect medical debts, we can't just release your medical records to you without a signed consent form. Many times a day we are told we are breaking the law because we won't just mail them out (the records aren't even kept in our office)...We are just trying to protect you! We take the law very seriously here! We don't wanna get sued anymore than our consumers do! It sucks! haha
Anyhow, great post! It's a give & take game. Everyone needs to be respectful & just try a little understanding.
reply
you are so right courtney,it just seems that the CA'S that collect for medical bills,legit cc's,legit student loans.are the ones that follow the laws.the JDB'S,IPDL'S and RENT A LAWYERS are the ones that violate the FDCPA.i basically know when i am dealing with a bottomfeeder.like you said,if i calmly tell the agent i can't pay in full right now,but i can live with a payment arrangement.if they threaten me after that they are a bottomfeeder.i have dealt with a few CA'S that were suprisingly pleasant to deal with.you see,no one wants to engage in a screaming match,be threatened,or harrassed.it just turns out that way and 90-95% of the time the CA is to blame.
it is unfortunate courtney,but you and others here.FYI,SOAPLADY,ARI.are the exceptions.you should be the rule.
Its a shame that with over 6000 registered debt collectors in th
Its a shame that with over 6000 registered debt collectors in the U.S. today that 99% of the problems are caused by less than one-half of a percent of collectors.
