First contact with a collection agency - what to say?

[DownNotOut]

Well, it's finally happened. I got a call from TransWorld Systems yesterday informing me that they are attempting to collect a debt and to please call them back. I'm pretty sure this is for a WaMu/Chase business card that I stopped paying in Feb.

I'm going to call them back because I don't want them to start calling family and neighbors looking for me, but before I do, I wanted some advice on what to say to them when I call. I was thinking something like "Yes, I am XXXXXXX". Yes, this is my contact information. I don't wish to discuss financial matters over the phone. Can you please send me something in writing?" That way I can get them to send me a dunning letter and can C&D them.

I'm not really trying to fight them, just hold them off for a while until I'm ready to file bk.

What do you guys think? Thanks for your help!

[walkthaplank]

I would just look up their info on line and send them a DV with the reference number they should have left on your machine. You should receive a dunning letter from them shortly anyway, but might as well be on top of it.

[walkthaplank]

in other words, don't talk to them, just write.

[DownNotOut]

I would just look up their info on line and send them a DV with the reference number they should have left on your machine. You should receive a dunning letter from them shortly anyway, but might as well be on top of it.

Well, I didn't think of that! That's an even better idea! They did leave a reference number and I've already googled that they are in Wilmington, DE. I really don't want to talk to any of these people if I don't have to.

[optimistic1]

By calling them, this sets the grounds for them contacting you even more and more.

They will send you a dunning letter regardless, if they dont, try calling them like you suggested.

Upon receipt of the dunning letter, send the DV and combine it with a Cease and Desist.

They will call your family anyway, to shame you into paying. This is what these people do.

[albacore44]

yeah, i got 6 of them chasing me so far. waiting on dunning leters from 2 of them

[catleg]

WAMU cards are a real "stinky" portfolio. They are looking at huge charge off rates. I wouldn't be surprised if Chase can't even produce documentation to sue anybody. They tried steering mine through NAF but as you may have heard they have folded their tent.
We just got sued for three Chase accounts but not the ex-Wamu one. I think Chase will try to collect these for a while then be forced to sell to debt buyers at pennies on the dollar. Just send the DV letter including C&D language to each CA they put on the account.

[splinter]

Sorry to hear about your situation. I wouldn't talk to them at all on the phone. Because you're admitting you owe the debt and that can be used against you later. Not that you would fight this in court, but you'd want to keep all of your options open.

I would not answer the phone at all or at least screen my calls through an answering machine or caller ID. If you don't have either, you could always work out a ring code for people. Like my family knows I don't answer the phone. So they ring the phone twice, hang up and then call back. So when I hear two rings, nothing for a little while, and then the phone rings again, I know it's them. If you don't want to tell anyone about this, just say you're being harassed for what ever reason and ask they use that ring code.

Since you know who is calling you don't have to bother with the DV unless you want to make them go through some extra work. Just C&D them and it's done for now. No need to ever talk to them on the phone. I hope everything works out for you.

[DownNotOut]

WAMU cards are a real "stinky" portfolio. They are looking at huge charge off rates. I wouldn't be surprised if Chase can't even produce documentation to sue anybody. They tried steering mine through NAF but as you may have heard they have folded their tent.
We just got sued for three Chase accounts but not the ex-Wamu one. I think Chase will try to collect these for a while then be forced to sell to debt buyers at pennies on the dollar. Just send the DV letter including C&D language to each CA they put on the account.

This is good to know catleg. I have decided to definitely NOT talk to them. I read a complaint about them on line and the guy claimed that the man he spoke to was abusive and used profanity to him and his young son who answered the phone. I need to keep my blood pressure low, so I'm sending off a letter tomorrow.

[DownNotOut]

Sorry to hear about your situation. I wouldn't talk to them at all on the phone. Because you're admitting you owe the debt and that can be used against you later. Not that you would fight this in court, but you'd want to keep all of your options open.

I would not answer the phone at all or at least screen my calls through an answering machine or caller ID. If you don't have either, you could always work out a ring code for people. Like my family knows I don't answer the phone. So they ring the phone twice, hang up and then call back. So when I hear two rings, nothing for a little while, and then the phone rings again, I know it's them. If you don't want to tell anyone about this, just say you're being harassed for what ever reason and ask they use that ring code.

Since you know who is calling you don't have to bother with the DV unless you want to make them go through some extra work. Just C&D them and it's done for now. No need to ever talk to them on the phone. I hope everything works out for you.

We don't have a land line and use only our cells. I never answer a number that I don't recognize, and if it's an 800 number of any kind it gets put on the block list so I don't ever hear the phone ring. It just goes right to voice mail.

Thanks for the kind words . I WON'T be talking to them!