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How to End Harassing Telephone Calls |
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Written by Administrator
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Saturday, 19 July 2008 10:05 |
The secret is that you do not have to converse with credit card companies and collection firms on the phone. You can conduct all communication by mail.
All you have to say to is, “This is not an issue I wish to discuss on the phone. I want to perform all communication by mail.”
Credit card companies don’t like hear this and will ask all sorts of questions doing engage you in a conversation.
They’ll ask questions like:
• Why haven’t you sent us a payment?
• Why do you not want to talk on the telephone?
• Where you are currently employed?
• I am here to help you. Can’t we talk about this so we can work with you?
• Why won’t you let me help you?”
Stick to your guns and say “This is not a matter I wish to discuss on the phone. I want to conduct all communication by mail.”
The person on the other end might get angry with you, but don’t let this pressure you into talking. Once they get you talking, they won’t stop calling you!
After a few minutes of saying the same phrase you may have to eventually hang up on them, because some will never stop talking on their end.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 19 July 2008 10:10 )
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Things to know when dealing with a collection agency: |
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Written by Administrator
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Friday, 18 July 2008 11:26 |
1. NEVER talk to a collection agency on the phone. Always use mail.
2. Penalties and extra interest are fictitious amounts of money added on by the collection agency for extra profit. Most companies would be thrilled to get you to pay the original debt even without the extra penalties they add on and will usually be more than agreeable in waiving these fees.
3. Time is on your side. As time passes, the creditors will likely stop calling and the debt will be filed away for future attention. The longer the debt remains uncollected, the better your chances will be of getting a good settlement. If this is the second or third collector to try and collect, they will accept a very small amount.
4. Never seem eager to settle. Take plenty of time to reach an agreement. Don't accept the first, or even second, settlement offer. Make sure that they are the ones calling you to push the deal forward. You cannot expect to reach an affordable settlement if the creditor thinks he has the upper hand.
5. Remind the creditor that the statute of limitations is approaching on the debt and they only have a limited time to deal with you. Know when the statue is up on each debt and be prepared to give the creditor the time line.
6. Use the threat of bankruptcy. It will be in your best interest if the creditor believes that you have very little money and you are teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. You should approach each creditor as though this is their last chance to compromise, and get something out of your debt, before you declare bankruptcy and they get nothing.
7. Offer to pay more money if the collection agency agrees to remove the listing completely. The collection agency has nothing to gain by reporting the account on your credit report, other than getting you to pay. They are not legally obligated to report this on your credit report as some claim.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 18 July 2008 11:29 )
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Your Rights When Dealing with a Collection Agency |
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Written by Administrator
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Friday, 18 July 2008 09:15 |
Collection agencies are not allowed to:
- Call your office;
- Call your home before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
- Address you in an abusive manner
- Call family or friends in an attempt to collect your debt
- Harass you
- Make false or misleading statements
- Add unauthorized charges.
If any of the above is happening to you, tell the collection agency to stop harassing you. If it continues, ask for its name and address and report it to the Better Business Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission, or your state’s attorney general’s office. These telephone numbers can be found in your telephone book or by calling directory assistance.
You can demand that the collection agency stop contacting you, except to tell you that collection efforts have ended or that the creditor or collection agency will sue you. You must put your request in writing.
If the violations are ongoing, you can sue the collection agency, and the creditor that hired the agency, for up to $1,000 in small claims court for violating the FTC regulations. If the violations are outrageous, you can sue the collection agency and creditor in regular civil court.
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Collection Agencies
