Debt Collectors

allow me to raise my hand first.two agencies
collecting for credit cards.one was nelson watson,the other was bronson&maglaciano.they both helped me work out payments and reported to
the OC payments made.as far as pdl's are
concerned,not so much.

Yes twice both for inaccurate payment by insurance on medical debts. Both times I verified the debt & collector was promptly paid since they did their job properly.The second time it resulted in a two bureau deletion of collection account. Good collectors do exist,it just seems they have fallen to be a minority & the bad ones give everyone a bad name. :D

I've had one as well with People First. Wonderful to work with and provided me with information on how to obtain validation!

If op don't mind I am gonna move this to our debt collections board.

Since this poster has joined us & is willing to follow our guidelines in discussion,I am gonna ask everyone to please stay on topic & be civil. Thank You.

Thanks for the welcome

I have unfortunately had a fair bit of dealings with debt collectors and in all honesty I have to say that every experience has been good. No one has ever threatened me with bodily harm or called me a deadbeat, telephoned me at inconvenient hours or pretended to be something they weren't. I even once gave a collector my bank account number for automatic monthly withdrawals, which I see now is considered a no-no, and they never withdrew more money than I authorized or ever did so before the dates I indicated, and the debt was eventually discharged this way.

Whether this is because being dirt poor with minimal assets and no real property I didn't provide enough leverage for 'em to get real nasty, or perhaps just because the balances were relatively small, or because of the type of debt (medical and credit card, no payday loans or mortgages or anything like that) I don't know.

I've paid off 2 accounts with asset acceptance with no problems, setteled them and they reported paid in full and then I asked them to remove it from my CBR which they did. I paid off two more but it's been so long ago now I can't remember but I was successful and had no problems.

There are maybe 3 accounts left that I need to deal with but the collection agency, not the collectors, have been particularly nasty in their dealing with me. Before I had the ability to even pay back my debts I dealt with some really nasty collectors.

but you were a collector and know full well how to deal with them and bring ammunition in your corner...
most people contacted by nasty collectors are very intimidated and feel very violated since you were in the business you knew how to hold your ground and not let them treat you badly..thank you for giving your info to others here on site :D

I have had only one positive experience with a debt collector. A majority obviously forget to take their meds before they start the day!

The bees and honey thing has been mentioned more than once... and I have to say that more often than not the first contact I have with a client is pretty awful.... not even given a chance to say hello and ID myself. And the conversation goes downhill from there. Please dont go into the call assuming youre going to get banged up by the collector. But from what I read on this forum, its a common assumption. Is there a way to change that thinking? And Im totally serious when I ask that question.

I haven't had any good experiences with any collection agency's so far. I have been pro-active, and as cordial as possible. Unfortunately, the CA's who are assigned to me, are all known for fdcpa violations, they continue to do so in my cases also. :?

You joined six months ago - Id go digging through you posts but there are over 2000... what kind of resolution have you seen so far?

One judgment vacated, and one pending for dismissal with prejudice, fdcpa violations. Next step, is a counter suit. I have all the proof I need, and a Judge who is getting impatient with this particular CA. 8)

I would have to say the issue I have with collectors is their "TONE" the ones I've talked with are just so harsh sounding, rather than sounding like they might actually want to try and help a person become current. That's why I think most people are turned off by them the second they understand who is calling. Would it hurt to use some kind words, like I understand, or let me see what I can do to help. NOT "Well what did you spend your last paycheck on?"

Hope that helps:)

troll-spew deleted - Uncle Wulf

O.J. Simpson is sure safe from Collectors.

BTW, is it really true you can avoid paying debts, without being hauled into court?

Or put in jail?

Reason I'd like to know is, in case they say I owe something I do not know about and cannot pay. I'm not saying I wouldn't pay if I could afford to, but I cannot afford to.

Most have been pretty fair w/me I must say - and if I owe the money I do feel an obligation to pay.

What's frustrating is that sometimes CAs don't seem to understand how difficult this economy is for so many americans. They push for large payments and often don't want to listen when you tell them you can commit.

Take my own experience - Due to a divorce, the economy (job loss/having to take lower paying job/ having to pay more for health insurance, etc.) & frequent periods of no child-support, I went through a 2 year phase back in 2000 where I could barely provide a roof over our heads & put food on the table, let alone pay the gas & electric bill. Plus I had a $350 car payment on a car that was always breaking down - every 3 months or so some major repair would happen. I wound up defaulting on my cc debt, not because I'm a low-life, but because I truly did not have a penny extra. I often had to choose between going grocery shopping or paying a utility bill. For my family of 5 I sometimes was thankful enough to have $35 left over after paying bills to go spend at Aldi for a weeks worth of food. Hard times indeed!!

On another note, my big gripe is more with with junk debt buyers - I have no respect for them & will not work them. No consumer should!

collector--you asked why people here go under the assumption that collectors on the phone will be nasty--thats called "experience".

Case in point---look at all the truly horrible debt collection agencies out there. The ones that have to keep changing their name all the time, the ones that know they are breaking the law and dont care. I actually had a lady call me and tell me that my wife was gonna be arrested and go to jail(illegal all over the place) for a debt--wasnt even her debt to begin with--and the lady was on the phone laughing and shouting "SHES GONNA GO TO JAIL SHES GONNA GO TO JAIL!!" like she was at a pep rally....and THAT was on the first call from that CA!

Bottom line--your industry as a whole sucks big time. Next to no one follows the laws, and the penalty for violating the fdcpa is so small that it isnt even a deterrent to these agencies. They budget it in like it is a normal operating expense. They know that getting fined $1000 here and there isnt anything because so few people will sue, and they will collect more using illegal tactics than they are fined each year. Where's the deterrent in that?

Your industry will take a LONG time to turn around, if it ever does. Nothing personal against you, its just the way that this industry does things. I am to this day still battling with a debt buyer on the east coast--they claim that for the last two years I have owed them $40K for a house that I voluntarily surrendered, in Kentucky. Problem--I have not once ever lived in Kentucky! Been battling that one for two years and only a couple months ago did I finally track down the actual company, thanks to much deception on their part! So, why woudl they be deceptive when it comes to identifying themselves? No honest reason would require such an action, think about that....

When I get finished with the two lawsuits we are already involved with as plaintiffs against debt collectors, those clowns are next.

Right on sky, I;m getting prepared to sue a couple od CA's myself.

Preach it, Skydivr7673!!! It's just like Telemarketers, but a lot of Bill collectors can be very unscrupulous in another way, and will go to any length to intimidate someone into paying, which to me, is extortion. They cannot get their commission if they cannot get the debtor to pay. So they will do anything to get the money. I think a good term for that is prostitution, because you are throwing morality out the window so you can make money.
I apologize to the decent Bill Collectors and Telemarketers that follow all the laws, and do not constantly call and harass people.
you do realize, that the more you harass, the less likely they want to cooperate, some use threats, harassment, and intimidation.
One Bill collection agency I had was decent years ago. They sent their stuff by mail. I called them and told them there was no way I could pay, I was unemployed, and could not work because of medical problems. The Hospital forgave my debt, which was decent of them.
That collection agency did mention in the letter if I chose to ignore them, I could face civil action. But I responded to them because they sent me a polite letter.

Thanks for all the responses.... another question... if you're getting calls and letters why don't you respond? At least send a letter if you dont want to talk to the collector. I have so many accounts that it takes four days to get through them all, that means I might call an account two to three times a week for a couple months and never get a callback - not even to tell me Im calling a wrong number. How come? I understand that people dont feel comfortable returning calls when they dont know what the call is about. fdcpa states I cant disclose to a third party --- which includes your answering machine. So I cant warn you about an impending lawsuit. You probably know that Im calling with bad news but you dont know that I am able to present options that will save you money.

that's easy my friend,all of my pdl's are illegal in my state.that didn't stop them from calling and threatening.after three straight ambushes yelling,demanding immediate payment by phine with a checking acct,telling me that a warrant was already issued for my arrest.i found this site shortly after that.now i do take calls,but the nanosecond they get stupid i end the call.note the# on my caller id and never answer them again.i got out all the letters and what do ya know?not a peep.going on 14 months now.i believe as you suggest,answer if someone calls just don't take any abuse.

pdl?

Payday Loans.

Imadebtcollector,

You ask why you don't get call backs? When I was dealing with a CA I would get a call from a collector asking for a callback giving me a number and ext to callback. When I call I am unable to put in an extension, when somebody answer and I asked for that extension they would say they had left or were on the phone and that they would help you. callback a different time and go through the same thing and get a different person and start the same process over.

Also when I had my problems (I had a business failure and had been out of work for 2 months) the CA would call and they would ask for an intial payment of $3-5,000 dollars just to bring things "current". Then expect $1,500 every two weeks until it was paid off. Well we were using our savings to keep food on the table and meet basic living expenses and there was no way I could or would do that. Then the yelling and insults would start.

In a different instance I hung up on one guy and he kept calling back and tried to keep yelling. He called one day when I was not home and got my wife and started yelling and threatening her, he was so loud that her 19 y.o. niece who was about 15 feet away heard him.
She called me hystrerical and told me what had happened I called the CA back and yelled at the guy and he said he did not do that and it did not matter because I was a deadbeat, yada yada yada. I hung up and got his manager and told him "that if that guy EVER called my house again they would be getting a PERSONAL visit from me" since I only lived 10 miles down the freeway from them it would be a very quick response. Once they actually checked where I lived I never heard from them again.

I guess they don't have a problem with threatening people when they are far away but when they can actually be held responsible for their actions they run and hide.

I do not believe this was an isolated incident. And that is why most people don't want to deal with CAs.

Here is the story, imadebtcollector:
1. I was never contacted by mail or phone about any delinquent bills.

2. My friend (15 miles away) has been getting call 2 times a week, from some asian sounding guy, asking for ME.

3. The last time I heard from my friend, last Saturday, the guy called him again. My friend asked what he wanted. He just left his phone number.

4. I tried calling that number, but I cannot talk to anyone. Several minutes of music played on worn tape is about all I can take.

5. I sent them a Validation request.

6. Haven't heard anything since. WHY should I go out my way to contact them by phone when they never contacted me directly??

7. If they sue me, I guess I'll have to go to court. I'll tell the judge I got no previous notice from them, and the suit was the first time I heard anything about it from them.

8. I have no job, nor assets.

9.I just hope it's all a mistake and they won't bother me or my friend again. I don't know if they tried calling my friend again, because I haven't spoke to hime since Saturday.

10. It pisses me off someone would bug my friend's family. If I have a debt, they should have my contact info.

I have only dealt with OCs so far, no CAs. Some are very kind and considerate when I explain our situation. Others obviously just have a script they are trying to get through and don't bother to listen to anything I say. So far, none have been rude or obnoxious--other than the fact that they call daily or every other day--and obviously, if we are going through a financial hardship, nothing is going to change in one day. I think that is probably why a lot of people are defensive as soon as they answer the phone, because it gets tiring having to repeat the same thing multiple times every day. I personally try to be cordial since I know they are just doing their jobs. But, as I said, I haven't had any of them be rude to me yet, so I haven't had reason to be rude back.

And, in response to your question about why not send a letter. Sending letters doesn't work unless you can fit into one of their "programs." Besides that, based on my recent experiences with multiple credit cards, the collectors who are calling on the phone don't even know that you did send a letter. When you talk to them and tell them that you sent a letter, they still just want to know when you can make a payment to bring the account current. And talking to them on the phone doesn't do much good either. They just call back again the next day. That said, I answer my phone between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm weekdays and go through the same story multiple times each day. The only reason I even answer is because I'm hoping to delay charge offs long enough to come up with some funds for settlement. However, since our current income barely covers our mortgages and our modest living expenses, that's probably not too likely.

I just got a call from my friend. He said his wife received a call, asking for me, and they told her they was a CA. All they ask for me, and that's all. (they sound like they are using my first and last name) My friend told them not to call anymore. And I told my friend if they do call, we'll need to send a C&D letter. He does not really want to pay for the CM/RRR. I just checked my current credit report, and got a high score, and there are no collections noted.

I don't know what these jerks are pulling, but I think they are trying to con me, they figure if they can talk to me, they can intimidate me into paying for something I know nothing about. Or maybe it's a spoofed number.

Quote:

I have noticed that almost everyone on here is dealing with the same debt collectors and usually they break the laws. I think the reason is because there are good debt collectors but the original creditors would rather dump the debt cheaply to the worst collectors.

That's why it's best to communicate only by mail That way, you have documentation.
IF the letter PROVES you owe money, and you do not dispute it, THEN call them and work something out.

Quote:

Thanks for all the responses... something to remember is that people come here because they are having problems with a collector... if the collector/debtor relationship is professional and on the up and up then there is no reason for the debtor to post here. Complaints are going up because delinquencies are going up --- I think credit card delinquencies are closing in on 5% - up a percentage from a year ago.


Times are tough - and going to get tougher over the next year or two. Ive seen references to the collection industry and how its a good time to get into it. Not true.
Maybe two to three years from now but definately not now.

Typically a credit card company works an account for 180 days after the last payment. Then the accounts are sold in huge batches called portfolios. The company I work for - which is quite small by collection standards purchased $860 million dollars worth of debt from HSBC. HSBC charged interest and penalties on these accounts for six months - and knowing what HSBC charges in interest and fees - original purchases are approximately 50% of the amount sent to collections. Looks like a big loss for them eh? Yeah, right. All these accounts are approximately one year from chargeoff... certainly not long enough for someone to financially recover from the jobloss, illness, divorce etc.

Unfortunately, portfolios are bought and sold like any other commodity in this country. You wonder why you never received a call? Some portfolios are "warehoused" meaning not ever worked, kind of like leaving your corn in the silo until next year when you might get a better price for it.

And so, Id rather do what I can to educate people on both sides of the coin than get lawyers involved. That goes for both sides. I am more than happy to spend time on the phone with someone giving them information and resources.

Is it possible to include links to other sites... tried adding one and I got a note that told me to "please remove the link and post"

previous is imadebtcollector

I totally agree with you Skydivr...

Please tell me if I am right or wrong.


debt collectors don't care about breaking the law. Lets say they have 100 people who owe $2,000 each and they harass and threaten all of them. The debt collector picked up a $200,000 portfolio at .08 cents on the dollar, being $16,000.

Now lets say that 98 of these people pay up because they are scared of being sued. Now the company just made $180,000.

Now the other 2 people are smart and sue. $1,000 for fdcpa violations plus attorney fees, about $2,500 for instance. Now this debt collector owes $7,000 divided by 2 people.

Total profit, $173,000. They played hard broke many laws and still walked away smiling.

Yes, that's why debt collectors are despised. It's all about the con game. If you can con people, you can get what you want.And a lot of debt collectors are con artists.


And they call debtors scum. Hypocrites.

Not all collection agencies are bad, there are some debt collectors out there that do actually want to work with in clearing the debt. I've dealt with some that are quite civil and even friendly. Unfortunately there are far more that are uncaring and abusive with no regard to laws. These are the ones that give the industry itself such a bad name.

Quote:

Do you all sometimes have problems with your server? I havent seen and responses to questions in two days - but the information about "most recent posts" seems to be current on the front screen....

There were apparently some server issues as I couldn't login until just this morning. These problems had occurred throughout most of yesterday afternoon/evening.

I wasnt sure if it was personal --- kidding.

lol.

I recently paid a settlement for a student loan to a junk debt buyer and I will like to know if they pay the Dept of Educ or they keep the money. The student loan does not have a statute of limitations and the dept of educ will collect forever.

Check with the DOE to see what your balance is on the account.

I just made this payment 2 days ago, is too soon, but my concern is if this junk debt buyers pay the original creditor or they keep the money

I didn't know they sold off student loans since they are guarenteed.

I am pretty sure they do not sell student loans.They usually just assign them out,but I could be wrong.