Did your phone just ring again for the 50th time today? Are you wondering if it’s another debt collector? Dealing with aggressive debt collectors can be scary and time-consuming. Here are some tips on how you can deal with antagonistic or overbearing debt collectors who affect your life negatively.
Talk to Them About Your Debt –
The main goal of debt collectors is to retrieve the funds you may owe to their clients. They receive a commission for the accounts they settle, and that’s probably the reason for their aggressive behavior. If you believe that you owe the debt, you can stop their aggressive contact methods by taking some time to talk to them. Find out how much you owe, and then discuss a potential payment plan with them. That’s one way you can handle the collectors. Be honest about what you can handle in payments, and don’t be late once you decide on a plan. The collectors won’t call you once you commit to a repayment plan and give them the necessary information.
Get Help From Credit Counselors –
Credit counselors can assist you with collection companies if you need them. They can provide a wide variety of services. Those credit counseling services include analyzing your profile and consulting you about your debts and spending habits. Another thing they can do for you is to contact the collection agency and negotiate with them for you. You can have your credit counseling agency take all of your debt collection calls so that you don’t have to deal with their incessant calls. The counselor may even be able to work something out for you where your debtors can bundle your debts so that you only have one payment to worry about making each month. That’s what is called a Debt Management Program. Contact a reputable non-profit credit counseling agency and ask them about their DMP and how it works.
Learn Your Rights –
As a debtor, you have certain rights. Not being harassed by collection companies is one of those rights. Speak to someone who can explain what your rights are with collection companies. One right that you have is the right not to receive collection calls early in the morning or late at night. Collection companies cannot call you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. Collectors also cannot use threatening or abusive language. Furthermore, they cannot threaten to have you arrested for not paying your debt.
Ask Them to Stop Calling –
You can ask debt collectors to stop calling your phone number. By law, they have to stop calling you if you ask them to. Use a firm tone when you ask them to stop contacting you, and make sure that you inform them of the rights you have under the law. If they continue to call you, they subject themselves to harassment charges. Additionally, you can ask them to send a letter verifying that you owe the debt. The law obligates them to prove the debt if you ask for it. They have five days to send it to you.
Get Started With a Free Debt Analysis
We make it easy on mobile or desktop. FREE with no obligations.
Utilize Blocking Software –
Cell phone technology is wonderful these days with software and applications. Landline providers also have a heap of technology that can help you protect your account. You can use a call blocking app if you’re adamant about not speaking to the collection company. Blocking software stops unwanted calls from getting to your phone so that you don’t have to deal with anyone’s harassment. You can enter specific phone numbers into the software program, or you could limit the calls you receive to only people who are on your contact list. Many people use advanced technology that stops spam and collect calls dead in their tracks.
Report the Callers –
If the harassment is unbearable, you can always report the calls to one of the governing agencies. The Federal Trade Commission is one agency you can report instances of harassment too. Another agency you can contact is the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. They can both take your complaints about the harassment, and they can make the collectors stop harassing you.
File a Lawsuit –
If worse comes to worst, you can contact an attorney about the harassing calls. They can help you in a number of ways. One way they can assist you is by negotiating with the debtors. They could also help you file for bankruptcy if it looks like your income is much lower than the debts you owe. Finally, an attorney can file suit against the collection company if the harassment is severe. Attorneys are well educated in the field of consumer debt and can resolve your issue quickly and effectively.
Conclusion –
Now you know some tips for handling aggressive collection agency calls. Use some of those tips to grab hold of your destiny and have peace and serenity finally. It’s best to face these types of tough financial situations head-on. Burying your head in the proverbial sand or trying to avoid these collectors will only make things worse.
Face your fears with some help from a reputable non-profit credit counseling agency like Advantage CCS. Give us a call at 1-866-699-2227. We’ve been helping people get out of debt since 1968, and we can help you too!
