ShortBus Posted January 21, 2008 Report Share Posted January 21, 2008 I read this post over at insidearm and about fell out of my chair, laughing. "We know you're an honest person; why would an honest person send a DV letter? You really ought to be humble when we call." When you fall behind on a debt it is your responsibility to contact the creditor and let them know what is happening. There is no law that requires anyone to send you a statement, coupon book or to call and remind you. When you sign loan documents, you agree to the terms contained therein with no additional caveats. When you are in serious default, you may get a call from a collection agency. It is not going to help if you cop an attitude with the collector. He/she will most likely initiate the first call in a friendly manner. They will then use your response to set the tone of the call from then on (and most likely all subsequent calls). If you are someone who is having legitimate problems paying your debts, the debt collector could wind up being one of your best friends. All you have to do is let them know you are willing to accept their helpSome consumer “advocates” recommend sending a VOD (Verification of Debt) letter out anytime an agency calls you. You have a right to do so, but if you are an honest person and you know you owe the money, what is the point in doing so (other than hoping to get something for nothing)? Some consumer “advocates” also recommend sending a “Cease & Desist” (a/k/a “Drop Dead Letter”) to the agency. Again, if you are an honest person and owe the money, this is ludicrous. In fact, it is the worst thing you can do. By doing so, you are telling the agency you want no more contact. If you really think this will resolve anything, you are kidding yourself. It shuts down the lines of communication. Depending on the type of account and the balance, it is the quickest way to get yourself sued. Once that happens the debt will get larger and you will have a hard time going before a judge and telling them you have done everything you can to resolve the issue.So let’s assume you are an honest person (as most people are). You should be humble when the collector calls and tell them you need their help. A good collector will then ask you a series of questions. They will most likely ask about your house, number of family members, debts, income, etc. They are using the information to get an idea of what your total financial situation is. The collector is usually unable to accept a payment arrangement until you have proven that is the only option available. They may use the information you give them to recommend that you get alternative financing in order to pay the account off (remember, your balance is due in full at this point). They definitely will use the information to determine your intent and /or ability to pay (“intent to pay” and “ability to pay” are the basic tenets of debt collection). They may already have a credit report and have seen the $30,000 Lexus account you opened 2 months ago, along with the $6,000 Best Buy account you opened last month. So, when you tell them you can’t pay, you may be making a fool of yourself, and “resetting” the tone. The best thing to do if you are serious about resolving the issue is to be honest. Once they get the information from you, they may request that you fax documentation to support some of the things you have said (i.e.: medical bill, disability verification, insurance claims, receipts, etc.). Again, it would behoove you to get them what they need.I get refinance referrals from agencies all around the country. Earlier this year I refinanced a couple and paid all their debts off. In addition, they received several thousands of dollars at closing. The cherry on top was the fact that the loan as structured saved them over $1100 per month! They were so happy they wrote a thank you letter to me, the collector and the original client (thanking them for placing the account with the agency that referred them). So, the point here is that even though you may not welcome the collector’s phone call, it may one that can finally give you peace of mind. Be nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krash Posted January 21, 2008 Report Share Posted January 21, 2008 HUm, very odd! Has anyone here had help from a CA? Well I haven't, I have had nothing but blood pressure rising and a sick stomach! Well we can only hope to get with the CA that did that LOL, furthermore i think that if someone doesn't pay then call them, contact them someway, no need in drastic measures!LMAO on that one!!!!!!! SOME PEOPLE, I bet that was a dead beat CA and not a OC! If they could have refinanced before wonder why the OC didn't tell them before it went to a CA? lmao Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2001Badyear Posted January 21, 2008 Report Share Posted January 21, 2008 I think CA's and the like have a bad reputation for a reason. I think most, if not all here, would agree we have had bad experiences right out of the gate with CA's or JDB's. I suspect there is some truth in that some CA's perhaps take a lighter tone, but so many before and so many after will and have screwed people. They are trained to tell you they are "your friend" and "we're here to help you", and if that doesn't work, lie, cheat, steal etc...to get the money.Do we owe the debt? Yes, in most cases. Should we pay? Yes, in most cases. I think it is prudent to take the steps we take here to verify, and make certain that the people you can't see on the other end of the phone are on the up-and-up. How many here have paid what you thought was a PIF with a CA and found they simply sold to the next guy to come after the rest? They probably said it's all OK now, just pay and you're on your way, right?There are some here trying to beat a legitimate debt, and that's their business. Each of us has to find our own way, and make our own decisions ultimately for which we alone are responsible. I for one am someone that years ago got screwed and paid twice, and what I ultimately owed, but to whom? I would rather have paid the OC than a collector. I will always now, knowing what I've learned here, verify completely before penny one goes out. I will pay, as I think I am responsible, but I always will know to whom. Just my take on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Nashville/Savannah Posted January 21, 2008 Report Share Posted January 21, 2008 I don’t care how friendly and “nice” a collector might be; what sane person would discuss their finances and fax documents to a total stranger/strange company they’ve never heard of and have no idea if they are even a legitimate company; let alone the company they are supposed to deal with instead of the original creditor!No matter what else the consumer knows or thinks he knows, when dealing with a third-party collector, a consumer needs proof that the collector he is dealing with is legitimate, has permission to act on behalf of the original creditor and that the amount they are attempting to collect is a correct and verifiable amount.The only reason collectors don’t like dispute/validation request is because they can’t reach their quota over the phone that week and might actually have to do some real work before they can move onto the next name on their list! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetscarbie Posted January 21, 2008 Report Share Posted January 21, 2008 I wonder if that nice Collection man would pay my mortgage note. I'm an honset person. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShortBus Posted January 21, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2008 Here's a business idea for someone out there. You can have it and not even pay me a dime. Just tell me if it works for you:An overtly evangelical Christian CA/JDB. You call up creditors and guilt trip the hell out of their moral sensibilities. Offer to pray with them, put them on a mailing list for religious literature, etc. Wouldn't work on everyone out there, but it might be more profitable than the current tactics.I once knew a guy who owned a transmission repair shop. Wasn't even a Christian himself, but he prominently displayed an ichthus in all of his advertising (signage, yellow pages, etc) and claimed that doing so greatly increased his sales. And this wasn't even in a Bible Belt state. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmuse00 Posted January 21, 2008 Report Share Posted January 21, 2008 The only reason collectors don’t like dispute/validation request is because they can’t reach their quota over the phone that week and might actually have to do some real work before they can move onto the next name on their list!That is exactly what I thought Robert! If the debt is legit and their collecting tactics are legit they should welcome DV's! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarolinaBlueEyes Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 Sounds like someone needs to step away from the Crack Pipe.I always enjoy reading that site though it keeps me amused for hours and if you start reading the boards between the collectors you learn that there is indeed no honor among thieves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isislc Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 I have only had 1 time when a collector was that nice. It was for rehabbing my student loans. Even then, they didn't make me fax anything. Since I'm an honest person they took me by my word and I rehabbed the whole thing in the 1 year they said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick9972 Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 Since we are all very dishonest people, why is it that CA's are the ones going to court to explain their violations of the law to the judge?:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amerikaner83 Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 Since we are all very dishonest people, why is it that CA's are the ones going to court to explain their violations of the law to the judge?:eek:Yes indeed. I love going over to insidearm and reading some of the posts. Hilarious! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isislc Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 Since we are all very dishonest people, why is it that CA's are the ones going to court to explain their violations of the law to the judge?:eek:Haa haa, agreed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stefdr Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 Yes, they are all so professional and helpful. I had one guy ask me if I had bought anything with the CC he was trying to collect on that I could sell to pay him. He was so helpful he suggested that I have a yard sale or even sell my car. He was so full of wonderful ideas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTigggers Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 OMG I can't breath I'm laughing so hard. You don't know who I am but I'm your best friend. :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: I did have 1 Ca that was nice and struck a deal with me which we both held up our end but that was after I went thru 6 reps who were very rude and another 4 who didn't want to be recorded Gee I wonder why that was.They don't want all of your personal info so that they can be nice and help you they want it so they know what you have and what they can come after (Makes their job easy when you do all of the work for them)If they have my CR and see the $30,000 Lexus they should assume I don't care about them and have better things to do with my time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stefdr Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 It's funny when they want to "confirm" information. One guy wanted to confirm my employment information (he didn't know, I was supposed to volunteer the info). I said, ok what do have listed and I'll tell you if its correct. He hesitated and said "I need you to tell me your employer." I said "No, you wanted me to confirm some information. That means you have some information that you need me to tell you if its correct. That's what confirmation means, you idiot." That made him really happy. This was the yard sale guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
virtualrn Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 Honestly, come to think of it...those pre-recorded calls with my name mentioned octaves below the original message are very polite. Rude me, I usually hit delete before the end of the call... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2001Badyear Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 I have simply never answered my phone in quite a few years now. Not so much ducking anyone, but everyone that needs to get in touch with me has my cell number.Phone hardline is for my fax and outgoing calls. It occurs to me that had a CA tried to get me via my listed phone number they would get the lovely white noise of the fax machine screeming in their ear.Wow, who knew I've been rude to the CA's for all this time. Now I feel bad. Sorry to all the CA's trolling through here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
virtualrn Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 Agreed! The only people I want to talk to call me on my cell....with the exception of my mother and I know what her number is....and sometimes, I have gone for weeks with my fax on before I realize I need to put it on manual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred333 Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 I really don't even use my home line just becuase of that reason. Thank goodness for the cell phone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTigggers Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 I have simply never answered my phone in quite a few years now. Not so much ducking anyone, but everyone that needs to get in touch with me has my cell number.Phone hardline is for my fax and outgoing calls. It occurs to me that had a CA tried to get me via my listed phone number they would get the lovely white noise of the fax machine screeming in their ear.Wow, who knew I've been rude to the CA's for all this time. Now I feel bad. Sorry to all the CA's trolling through here. I thought I was the only one that did this. I'm supprised none of the CA's have sent me a fax. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick9972 Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 I really don't even use my home line just becuase of that reason. Thank goodness for the cell phone.LOL I do not even answer my cell phone unless I recognize the number calling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarolinaBlueEyes Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 I dont have them calling anymore. except one last week which was amusing..but I have not had a home phone in YEARS..if for some for some reason I have to check a number I dont know and can't find it on the net I call from my fax.. but for me paying for a home phone makes no sense.. those that need to reach me have my cell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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