Why Do Debt Collectors Tell Me They Are Trying To Collect A Debt?

Debt collection calls and letters can cause stress and anxiety, and sometimes you can feel like you are being treated like a simpleton when a debt collector calls you. The minute you take the call you are talked down to, and even get told that the call is from a debt collector. This seems like a silly thing to say, because if you are behind on your debts it may not be a surprise to receive a call from a collector. To have that information repeated to you puts you on edge, and immediately on the defensive. So why do collectors take the time to let you know they are a debt collector and that the call to you is in an attempt to collect a debt?

The truth is that debt collectors are required to tell you these things, and if they do not inform you they are a debt collector and that they are attempting to collect a debt, they can get in trouble. The law requires:

•         Every collection call placed to be prefaced with the information that the call is being placed by a debt collector.

•         The collector has to let you know the call is being made in an effort to collect a debt

•         The collector also has to tell you that any information you provide during the call will be used by the collector in their collection efforts. So if you are asked to provide banking information, or where you work, you can bet that your wages or bank account is about to be hit with a garnishment.

Rather than play into the collector’s hands, take a minute to clear your head and once the collector tells you who they are and why they are calling, politely decline to continue the call. Or, if you have already given the collector some information, ask for a transcript of the call, so you can verify that all of the appropriate debt collection warnings were provided to you. These warnings are required by a federal law called the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. If you catch a collector violating this law, you can bring a lawsuit against the collector and/or the collection agency for that violation. Often times holding the collector’s feet to the fire is the only way to bring about a change in collection activity, and put an end to the harassment. We can help.

If you have more questions about debt collection, contact us today at www.law-ri.com. We will help you come up with solutions that work for your family, and have multiple locations where we schedule appointments so you can make a choice that is convenient for you.