Why Do Collection Agencies Get Such A Bad Rap?

More and more people today are finding themselves being contacted by collection agencies because of the bad economy. Layoffs and cuts in salaries have forced many responsible people to fall behind on their financial obligations, and when that happens, they find themselves in the cross hairs of collection agencies.

Some collection agents use questionable tactics and even try to intimidate the debtors into paying, which can cause some people to become afraid of losing their homes, being fired from their jobs or even going to prison.

So, why do some collection agents do that? Well, many of these collection agents work for low wages and earn commissions and bonuses based on the amount of money they’re able to collect. It’s like a car salesman who pushes the customer hard to make a deal; he knows that the more he sells, the more money he’s able to make, and that’s how collection agents work.

If you find yourself being contacted by a collection agency, you should keep in mind a few things. The first is that, by law, the agency must show proof that you indeed owe the debt. This can be in the form of documents from the original company that held the debt, receipts of purchases, etc. Remember that everyone makes mistakes, which is why it’s important that – if the collection agency doesn’t provide you with the information initially – you should request that they do so.

Another thing to remember is what collection agencies can and can’t do. Collection agents have been known to make up wild stories about the power they have, but generally, that’s just an intimidation factor to get you to pay the money. A collection agency cannot legally seize any of your assets, bank accounts, paychecks or personal belongings unless there has been a previous lawsuit with a judgment awarded to them. Collection agencies cannot get you fired from your job and are prohibited from telling anyone other than you why they’re contacting you. In fact, they can’t legally make any public announcements or disclosures about the debt you owe except to credit bureaus like Equifax.

And while it is in the power of a collection agency to bring the matter into court, that action is extremely rare. They would much rather have you pay them directly than going through the lengthy and costly expense of a lawsuit.

When you’re contacted by a collection agency, and you’re satisfied that you do indeed owe money, the best course of action you can take is to either pay what you owe or set up some form of payment plan. Most agents will obviously push hard for a total up-front payment, but they can’t refuse you if you’re willing to do what you can to pay off the debt. If they payment plan they suggest is too high, offer to pay what can reasonably pay.

And most importantly, always remain calm and polite when dealing with collection agents even when they’re trying to intimidate you. Know your rights and strive to pay off the debt as soon as possible.

If you’d like to know more about why paying a collection agency is important, or want an easy way to pay off your debts, log onto Pay Star’s website at, www.paystarintl.com.

Additional Resources

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