Tactics A Debt Collector Uses And What To Do After You Have Paid: Debt Collection Basics Part Four
In the first three parts of this series I wrote about collections accounts, described how sending unpaid accounts out to an agency helps out a creditor, and described the practice of selling an old debt to a third party collection agency. I spoke about the type of information that a collection company will obtain to utilize in their efforts, and the type of laws that third party collection agencies must follow. I described illegal and legal tactics that debt collection agencies use to collect.
I let you know that most bill collectors know that it is crucial to collect on your accounts as soon as possible. A number will ask you why you can’t pay today, and a few might attempt to manipulate your emotions or insinuate that you are fiscally irresponsible to upset you into agreeing on a payment.
Another strong arm tactic used in the industry is to upset a debtor by manipulating their emotions, and then transfer them to an agency supervisor. By this time the debtor might be angry or frustrated and it will be more probable that they would agree to something easier simply to get off the phone. If you find yourself in this situation, try to remain calm throughout the conversation.
Try to remember that you aren’t talking about a mortgage payment; the debt collector can not take your house away if you can not make the payments that they are specifically requesting. Don’t let the collection agency manipulate you into agreeing to something that you cannot afford at the moment or intimidate you into doing what you don’t want to do.
Do your best to remain firm and stick to the terms that both parties agreed on. After working out a payment plan, as with ANY financial decision, verify your agreement in writing by mailing a plan in writing by certified mail, return receipt requested to prove delivery and make sure that the agency received it.
Rapid Recovery Solution does commercial debt collections and writes articles on medical collection companies. This article, Tactics A Debt Collector Uses And What To Do After You Have Paid: Debt Collection Basics Part Four is released under a creative commons attribution licence.