Use Google voice to help you with creditors
We've recently filed, but I wanted to share a tool that we successfully used for 8 months to help us keep creditor calls at bay.
Google voice assigns you a phone number that acts as a virtual router to any other phone number you choose, even multiple phones. It also captures voicemail which can be accessed online. There is a lot of automation you can do 'on the fly' and keep up with creditors who keep changing their number.
Best of all it's FREE.
It used to be a 'by invitation only' service, but is now open to anyone who wants to sign up. I put together the following for anyone who might be interested in keeping creditors at bay.
I could gush all day about Google Voice and its various features, but I thought I'd provide you some examples of how we used it.
Routing Calls:
We began routing ALL calls through our Google voice number. We created specific voice mails (You can have as many as you like) that identified us and let the creditor know they made it to the right number. Often we would create specific voice mails for each creditor calling them by name in the greeting. As we received calls and identified creditors, we terminated their calls directly to the google voice mail. If they used a different number, we only got the one call and would quickly add it route straight to the appropriate voice mail. Our friends and family we would allow to ring through.
Routing Direct calls
Obviously creditors get a hold of your cell, or home number. We simply began routing those numbers through our Google voice using those service to forward incoming calls we saw come through on Google Voice. We had Comcast and Verizon which allow you to do that. This way no mater what number they try to call you on, they always arrive at the same place.
Post filing
I too believe it will be useful post filing, in case we get the creditors who break the rules and still insist on calling. Google voice creates a great single tool to keep records and voice mail you can refer to later. We'll see if we need it.
I'll be around to take questions or help people through the process if you ask here. Hope it helps.
Google voice assigns you a phone number that acts as a virtual router to any other phone number you choose, even multiple phones. It also captures voicemail which can be accessed online. There is a lot of automation you can do 'on the fly' and keep up with creditors who keep changing their number.
Best of all it's FREE.
It used to be a 'by invitation only' service, but is now open to anyone who wants to sign up. I put together the following for anyone who might be interested in keeping creditors at bay.
I could gush all day about Google Voice and its various features, but I thought I'd provide you some examples of how we used it.
Routing Calls:
We began routing ALL calls through our Google voice number. We created specific voice mails (You can have as many as you like) that identified us and let the creditor know they made it to the right number. Often we would create specific voice mails for each creditor calling them by name in the greeting. As we received calls and identified creditors, we terminated their calls directly to the google voice mail. If they used a different number, we only got the one call and would quickly add it route straight to the appropriate voice mail. Our friends and family we would allow to ring through.
Routing Direct calls
Obviously creditors get a hold of your cell, or home number. We simply began routing those numbers through our Google voice using those service to forward incoming calls we saw come through on Google Voice. We had Comcast and Verizon which allow you to do that. This way no mater what number they try to call you on, they always arrive at the same place.
Post filing
I too believe it will be useful post filing, in case we get the creditors who break the rules and still insist on calling. Google voice creates a great single tool to keep records and voice mail you can refer to later. We'll see if we need it.
I'll be around to take questions or help people through the process if you ask here. Hope it helps.
. Thank you Chase: I deal with you last.
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