Question about collection calls

[Bell30656]

If you get a pay raise AFTER you have filed you have to do... Nothing! Sit back and enjoy the increased income. Think of the day you file as a photograph. Whatever is in the picture on the day your file is all that matters. Any debts that you have on that day are included. You income is based on that day. If you incur any debts after that day, they are obvious not included. Neither is that winning lottery ticket you buy the day after you file.

I had this same concern because I got a $20,000 raise two months after filing.

Back to the regularly scheduled thread... I had to ensure that I was reachable by the creditors. I even used call forwarding to make certain their calls would reach my cell phone. The last thing I wanted was any subordinate at my work to be aware of my financial situation or worse, my ex-wife.

If it was a JDB or a CA, I sent an immediate "Drop Dead" letter. If it was an OC, I confirmed that I was the party they were seeking but would not speak of the debt. That really infuriates them. This went on from about October 2007 until I actually filed in December 2008. Once I filed, I simply told them that I was represented by an attorney and gave them the name of the law office.

[bf2bf]

If it was a JDB or a CA, I sent an immediate "Drop Dead" letter.

On what basis and telling them what exactly?

...If it was an OC, I confirmed that I was the party they were seeking but would not speak of the debt. That really infuriates them..

Can you elaborate a little on how these conversations went and how they ended?

[Bell30656]

The "Drop Dead" letter is basically a letter forbidding them to contact you again. You can send them to anyone but only "collection agencies" are bound to abide by them. It's a pretty simple letter you can find many examples by using the search feature.

The conversation? Well, they didn't go as the collectors wanted.

Collector: "Is this Mr. Bell?"
Me: "Why, yes. Yes, I am."
Collector: "I'm calling from XXXXX collection agency on behalf of XXXXXX. Can you confirm your last four digits of your social security number for me."
Me: "1234"
Collector: "You owe $XXXXX how do you plan to pay."
Me: "At this time I am not willing to discuss the matter to which you have called about."
Collector: "Excuse me, what do you mean you won't discuss it?"
Me: "It's a pretty clear statement. Now, would you like to talk about the Braves, NASCAR or the weather in North Georgia? If not, then I guess we have nothing left to discuss."
Collector: "But you owe XXXXXXX and this won't go away."
Me: "Are you still on that topic? I've so moved on."
Collector: "We'll keep calling until you pay."
Me: "Great, I've been kind of lonely here recently and your calls really perk me up. You have a great day now."
Collector: <click>

Of course, there were days I threw in the "This call is being recorded for compliance with the FDCPA and OCGA, continuing the conversation is consent to recording." But that usually got into a fun conversation about recording laws and why I can't record them, etc., etc. Depending on my mood, I was more or less of a jerk to the callers. I've told some that I have a new account, her name is Helen Waite. They go to Helen Waite for any money they feel I owe them. I've demanded that they confirm their identity by giving me the correct name of their company, the address for service and state incorporated in.

Now that the calls have all ceased, it's downright boring.

[SandyShores]

I tried the above approach and found that it actually back-fired and caused me more stress. I started being nice but noncommittal and that approach has worked a lot better-for me that is. A lot depends on whether or not you have the gift of gab. I do and I use it to my advantage. Think of yourself as a salesperson. You want them to buy that you're a nice person with good intentions not some amoral deadbeat trying to blow them-off. Remember they are looking for a fight and when you don't give it to them you gain the upper hand. It's about control.

Anyway, now all of my calls end on a positive note with them usually apologizing for even calling me in the first place. Sometimes it takes awhile for them to "get it" (i.e., That they are wasting their time trying to manipulate me into paying.). I take an upbeat positive approach and try and display grace under pressure. Just sayin' this might also work too.

SandyShores

[frogger]

Finding a new place will be hard I am sure, if not impossible and we can not afford to run out west to family. We have no one here in town to turn to if we are tossed out.

Finding a new place is not going to be near as hard as you think. As to being "tossed out", that's not going to happen. You have time...

[Bell30656]

Sandy, that's where the I'm not a nice guy comes in handy. Since I already have a very low opinion of collection agents as a whole I have no trouble demeaning them and creating a little stress in their life. I love to hear them backpedal and try to take back whatever they have said...

My favorite collection call is the "We have to take care of this before 5 PM today. Let me have your Visa and we'll get it handled." I get all excited and beg to know what will happen at 5:01... Will they turn into a pumpkin? What will happen? Can you call me back at 4:59 so I can countdown with you?

[OhioFiler]

Sandy, that's where the I'm not a nice guy comes in handy. Since I already have a very low opinion of collection agents as a whole I have no trouble demeaning them and creating a little stress in their life. I love to hear them backpedal and try to take back whatever they have said...

My favorite collection call is the "We have to take care of this before 5 PM today. Let me have your Visa and we'll get it handled." I get all excited and beg to know what will happen at 5:01... Will they turn into a pumpkin? What will happen? Can you call me back at 4:59 so I can countdown with you?

The other day some collection tramp gave me the "Well you bought the stuff so you have to pay for it" routine. Mr Niceguy became Mr Notsonice at that point. I let her know what I thought of her working on Sunday trying her hardest to collect $140 from me so she could keep $14 of it herself. I advised her I was laying in bed next to my beautiful wife enjoying a post-coital cup of coffee while she slaved away.

[optimistic1]

Im surprised they even listened to you spout it off, most of them just hang up when I insult them.

[OhioFiler]

Im surprised they even listened to you spout it off, most of them just hang up when I insult them.

You should put together a little mini-camp on how to insult rude collectors.

[catleg]

You should put together a little mini-camp on how to insult rude collectors.

I bought the video professor.

[SandyShores]

You guys have more guts than I do that's for sure. I don't like all the drama. All my OCs have been reasonable except for MACYs. They sound like uneducated crack-hoes and can be irritating to talk with that's for sure. I'm sure the longer my accounts go delinquent the less friendly people will be-especially MACYs. I'll probably be signing a different tune then! If you saw some of my posts on credors getting punked then you know what I'm going to do-I'm going to Judge Judy soundboard them.

SandyShores

[OhioFiler]

I bought the video professor.

I looked at the Rosetta Stone Learn to Speak Collector program but it was way too expensive.

[Bell30656]

Any sailor can teach you the vocabulary that you can use when communicating with a debt collector. Remember they have to be nice on the phone, no rules say that we do.

[catleg]

Where are all the debt collectors this week? I'm getting lonely .. nobody is calling.

[optimistic1]

I bought the Billy Mays DVD version of how to insult collectors, its fantastic! And it even came with a free Shamwow and food dehydrator!