Is it ever wise to say anything over the phone.

[merime]

Over the past few months my collection calls have dramatically gone down. Maybe once a week at best. Occasionally I will have a collector call about my mom. I do not know (yes serious), my moms address. They request her power of attorney. When they call for me , they try to set up a payment arrangement, which I can not. They try for settlements , which also is futile. I guess there are some people who can borrow $4,000 from family. That is not an option for me. Is it ever wise to talk and say anything over the phone? When they want an update on financial information, should it be given? Thank you for all replies in advance.

[disconapper]

I never talked to the creditors before filling, I turned my ringer off and screened all calls that came over my cell phone. I was unable to pay a dime so I saw no reason to speak with them and if by chance they got me on the phone I never gave them any sort of updated information on references, work numbers etc.

[frogger]

When they want an update on financial information, should it be given?

My situation has not changed since we talked last. I still have no money, no job, no job prospects, my vehicle is broke, I'm behind on my rent, the power bill is due tomorrow, I need diapers for the kid, there are only 2 cans of beans left in the pantry, and my dog bit me last night.

Now exactly what is it that you can help me with???

[disconapper]

My situation has not changed since we talked last. I still have no money, no job, no job prospects, my vehicle is broke, I'm behind on my rent, the power bill is due tomorrow, I need diapers for the kid, there are only 2 cans of beans left in the pantry, and my dog bit me last night.

Now exactly what is it that you can help me with???

Love it Frogger!

[merime]

Love it!! Yes, I actually had this jerk collector call at 9pm and again at 9am. I was like no I did not win the lottery over night. Sometimes its kind of funny to hear what they say.

[keepinitreal]

Is it ever wise to say anything over the phone.

No, I don't think it's ever wise to say anything over the phone.

If you do talk, there's a 99.9% chance you won't say anything incriminating or that could be misconstrued.

If you don't talk there's a 100% chance you won't say anything incriminating or that could be misconstrued.

[catleg]

I think there is some value to talking, as in "keep hope alive" for these creatures.
I got sued way more than I expected (about 10 times) before filing for bankruptcy.
Now it would be way funny talking to them, I have a speech impediment from Parkinson's and people think I either have a cold, throat cancer, or that I'm a retard.

[lovemybugs10]

I never give financial info.

[IamOld]

I think there is some value to talking, as in "keep hope alive" for these creatures.
I got sued way more than I expected (about 10 times) before filing for bankruptcy.
Now it would be way funny talking to them, I have a speech impediment from Parkinson's and people think I either have a cold, throat cancer, or that I'm a retard.

:-) LOL - did that help???

I haven't talked to any of them...and there is a LOCAL credit union which I know will sue....I can feel it...

[bcohen]

Personally, I never answer the phone when debt collectors call. I can't think of any reason to speak to them, especially when they are the ones initiating the conversation. Especially considering the fact that I don't have anything which I can pay toward these old debts, nor do I have the desire to pay ever again.

If, for some reason, my circumstances changed and suddenly I had the money (and the desire) to settle my debts, then I would be the one calling the creditors to discuss possible settlement. But until and unless such a time arises, I don't have anything to say.

[catleg]

"So I can mark that as a refusal to pay, sir"? :-)

[DYLAN150]

I am behind 4 months and have never answered the phone. What would I say, I am not paying you now screw off? Ok, have a nice day!

[keepsmiling]

Haven't talked to them in 9 months. I <3 GV. Gonna make that my new siggy one day

[bcohen]

"So I can mark that as a refusal to pay, sir"? :-)

Well, when I did (in the past) speak to collectors and tell them I couldn't pay (or that I disagreed with the amount claimed), that was exactly what they said. Like I give a @#$% how they code it in their system!

Fortunately, the only phone # that any of my creditors had was a T-Mobile cellphone, and when I quit paying on that due to financial difficulties, it soon got disconnected. Now, my only phone is an unlisted land-line and so far none of my creditors have been able to find it!

So I don't really have to deal with the problem of collectors calling anymore, at least not for me. But I do periodically get calls from collection agencies looking for a woman that used to have this phone # before I got it, which was back in August of 2009!

[lillymarlene]

Last year before filing bk, my phone rang constantly. It was so bad that I swear the continuous phone messages broke my answering machine! I also became very used to screening all calls with my caller id. Then right after filing it was kind of fun to answer the phone, give out my case number, attorney's name and number, to those few that filtered through, or thought they were specially privileged. :-)

I believe it's best most of the time not to talk to them.