For all you debt collectors out there! Were you aware?

Question

Who Seeks a Career as a Debt Collector?

In a industry where deception, craftiness, and deceit are rampant, you might imagine most honest people would seek work elsewhere. And you're right. My experience says the average debt collector is male, has a large ego, bounces from job to job, suffers low self-esteem and enjoys using the telephone as an instrument of empowerment. You shouldn't be surprised

to find most of them have great debt problems themselves.

The debt collection business is plagued with high employee turnover. Constant training of new collectors puts great strain on the agencies and the employees. Every moment someone is in training is time lost on the phone. You can imagine the shortcuts that are taken to get a new caller on the floor as soon as possible.

Collectors see themselves in a position to take advantage of those they deem weaker, in

an effort to overcome their own insecurities. They normally will talk-over any issues you may have, threaten and intimidate you, lie, misrepresent themselves, abuse, annoy and attempt to push you as far as they can. After all, a portion of what they collect from you becomes theirs. Unfortunately, far too few consumers complain about debt collectors overstepping their bounds, because they are intimidated or embarrassed about their dilemma. Over the years I've dealt with literally thousands of collectors and suggest that only 2 out of 10 are honest and hard working. The greater percentage are deadbeat scum either just out of, or heading back into a jail cell. Collecting is a male dominated business and because of the shortage of skilled workers, agencies are hiring anyone who can walk and chew gum to make their calls. Social skills, education and career orientation are NOT normally the prerequisites for a debt collector – money beggar position.

Just a little something I found at the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals web site that lets everyone being bullied by debt collectors know... exactly what they are made of!

And I found out something rather interesting in researching this too... If the Debt you owe has been collected by a Law firm that is claiming to sue you... You have the right BY LAW to speak with the attorney who either purchased your loan or is representing someone who has. Don't let them bully you. Remember this when they call and ask them what in the WORLD their mothers did to them to make them like that?

Answer 1

I wish I had seen this several years ago!!!!!!!!

I was in a car accident as a passenger. I was 18 and still in school. The bills came to 3,000+ (Spinal injury)
Neither insurance would pay anything, until I started talking to a lawyer. The hospital sent collectors after me, even though I had at least one of the drivers insurance sending them a check. The collector made me cry. He told me "I hope you don't plan on going to college or moving out, because this will keep you from ever doing either of those" I started to sob, and he said "You wont be able to get any car loans either, we need you to start paying at least 119 dollars a month right now. If you have a bank account we can just take the money thats in it." I was heaving and shaking, I said I'd have to call him back and hung up. He called back right away, and then proceeded to call everyday until one day he called me at work and the general manager saw me start crying. She gestured for me to give her the phone, and I did. She proceeded to tear the guy a new one, and called a friend of hers who is a lawyer to give me some off-the books help.
If a creditor ever calls, write down his name and information right away, make him say it several times, so he knows you are writing it down. Never sign any sort of payment plan that you can't absolutly make. Pay them five dollars if thats all you can, but make sure its always the same and always ontime.
They don't get to decide how long you have to pay it back, but after a certain time it goes on your credit history.
if they are even slightly rude to you, inform them that the conversation is over and you will be registering a complaint. They aren't allowed to harrass you.

Answer 2

I'm not a debt collector and never would be...rather be a trash hauler. Your letter made me laugh because I had a niece (big mouthed) that worked for a bank as a collector. I found it quite humorous that she was doing this, harassing people and bragging she was the best employee the bank had. She has been turned in to SS for neglecting her 2 little kids while she hangs out in bars. Rips off everyone she can for loans. Has no credit left because she never pays a bill. Yet there she is, putting the strong arm on other people. Its kinda like the old saying, don't do as I do, do as I say. She's a joke. I suspect a lot of them are.

Answer 3

I will not exactly argue with you. A friend of mine used to be a collector and repo man for the financing arm of Chrysler, not that makes me an expert on the subject. He most certainly did not dream of becoming a collector as a child, he needed a job. Through coincidence he found that when he was hung over he was more crabby, when he was crabby he did his job better. Whenever a "client" would complain to his boss about rude or unfair treatment he would get rewarded by his boss and by the company.

He always had a set of keys for any car he repoed. He would simply get in the car and drive off, it took less than a minute. On his last repo he obviously stood out in the neighborhood, if you know what I mean. The owner of the car knew what he was doing and threatened him with a baseball bat. After running away he quit.

Answer 4

Thanks for getting this information out there for others! I'm an office manager for a small company, and I've found that some of our worst and slowest paying accounts are either debt-collection agencies or rental companies (those that 'rent' furniture and other furnishings to low-income customers who can't afford and don't have the credit to purchase less expensive items outright). I've been on some of these calls where debt-collectors have left me in tears - perhaps someone will hear the multiple pleas for some regulation of this industry!

Answer 5

Once a judgment has been issued they really have no business coming to your home. But legally they can. But you also have the right to toss out a disgusting string of obscenities at him. Too bad an adult didn't see that "badge". In most states, impersonating a police officer could get him arrested. So did anyone talk to this guy and find out his story? My guess is he's just trying to locate where you live so he can locate your assets. There is a special breed of collection agents that specialize in collecting judgments. The hardest part about suing people is collecting the money. You have to locate where they work, where they bank, and where their assets are. Sometimes the best way is just to knock on doors and ask. They may get lucky. PS....your mom is allowed to verbally abuse him also.

Answer 6

Got debts going way back. They stopped the live calls a long time ago. Its only been recordings for the last year or two. We just hang up the phone.

We cannot pay, they know we cannot pay, they know we can prove that we cannot pay.

Every now and then they send us letters saying they will take us to court. We ignore those as well - we have never been to court yet.

Answer 7

i saw this thing on 20/20 about what debt collectors are not allowed to do. some people got them on tape calling at all hours of the night, going to their homes, harrassing them at work, threatening them physically, cursing, etc. i have caller id and ignore them as well as telemarketers. i can only do so much at a time and once ive communicated with them once, i dont see the need for them to keep calling. i have even blocked their numbers and theyll call from a different number. to me its harrassment.

Answer 8

Ok I just got tired is there a question in here or what. First off I have 2 debts which I dont allow myself to get any more then that.

Second whats the question?

Answer 9

nice to know that info. not that having any pity for a debt collector will factor into any decision i make to break one's kneecaps should i find out that the individual is involved in debt collection.

Answer 10

I am puzzled as to why they would continue to call a person after proof of no income and major illness has been sent to them.

Maybe there is a ritual to it or they have to try for a certain amount of time.