Jerry?
Yeah this is Jerry. Who’s this?
Jerry Blank?
Yeah, what’s it to you?
Jerry this Florita Johnston of So and So Recovery Inc.
Oh man, busted! Those crows have come home to roost. You were rockin and rolling along, signing on the dotted line and for whatever reason you weren’t able to pay that bill on time before Bally’s, Macy’s or maybe even Express turned your debt over to a nasty old third party collection agency. Don’t worry dearies – Uncle NSDS is here with some Do’s and Dont’s on handling bill collectors.
Don’t let them get you into a bad mood. I know even hearing them on the other end of the line may be your hot button. If you’re like me, you may actually enjoy a good heated conversation on the phone. The truth is these collectors aren’t emotionally invested in the conversation and you probably are. They have very little, if indeed anything, to lose from having it out with you. You’ve got so much to gain from cleaning up your credit that if you’re not taking this seriously then why are you even reading this article? If things get heated with a collector, just tell them you’re hanging up and then do so. It’s against the law for them to call you more than once a day.
Do get their mailing address. So I know you think you’re going to ask them for this address and they will just give it to you like any sane, rational, ordinary person on the phone would do. That’s not how this works. I can guarantee you that if you start asking for their physical address they will give you static, noise and argument. The easiest way to get their address is have them mail you something. So you might get told “this ain’t customer service” if you ask for a statement or itemized bill. The truth is that they don’t have itemized bills. Not if they are External or Third Party Collections. This is what you say to get them to send you something: “I would need to invoice that payment so could you send that bill to me?” and confirm the address with them.
Don’t stay on the phone a long time. People that don’t have any money just say that and hang up. This is what we were told when working outside collections. If you start having a long conversation you’re apt to hear the floor supervisor yell: “We’ve got a fish on the line!” The only thing to talk to these people about is how to give them your money, so if you’re not doing that then stop wasting everyone’s time.
Do tell them to only contact you in writing. Many people get confused about how to handle a telemarketer when they start trying to tell bill collectors to take them off their list. The only people that can take you off the phone dialer list are the managers and they don’t take or place phone calls. To get the calls to stop you should let the agent finish identifying them self and you. It’s important to verify your identity as they can claim you didn’t say it if they can allege you might not have been you. Once the mini-Miranda is complete and your address is verified, say the following clearly: “I would like all further correspondence to take place in writing. You may not call me about this now that you have my address. Under section 809 of the FDCPA I will bring charges if you do.”
That’s all for now kids. Hit me with your questions and I’ll address them in another installment.
