I thought they had to identify themselves?

[tay666]

I remember reading somewhere, that even though debt collectors cannot reveal financial or personal information to others when they call.
That they still have to identify themselves and the company they are calling for.
Whenever I ask who is calling, all they give me is a big run around.
And when I ask what company they are calling for, they say they don't have to tell me and then hang up.

[CPO]

At the risk of being rhetorical, what do you expect to gain by talking to people who refuse to identify themselves?

I don't talk to anyone who does not identify themselves, and if I had actually picked up the phone instead of allowing my answering machine to take a message, I'd hang up immediately.

Why bother? If they think I'm going to give them information then I guess it's another example of stupid.......

Sure, collectors are required to identify themselves, if third party and so subject to federal law. Check your state laws about original creditors....

Collectors abuse and break the law constantly. They lie, cheat and steal anything in their path to take advantage of you. THAT IS THEIR JOB!

And they do it...

Because they get away with it...

And some people will talk to them......

I don't know what you gain by speaking to these idiots, unless your setting them up for a lawsuit.

But you have not revealed that.

So, I assume that you may assume that collectors are "good guys" and will treat you fairly and are worthy of your time, patience and cooperation.

I hope you don't fall for that.

Protect yourself. Don't fall for collectors.

My last point: Phone calls are meaningless in a court-of-law unless a genuine recording can be produced. Speaking with someone on the phone about information that may land in court is a sure path to disaster.

Phone calls are worthless. Paper up. Adopt the stance that unless its on paper, it's worthless.

Best Regards,

CPO

[treehugger1]

The next time they call, simply ask them to identify themselves, and tell them you need to turn on your phone recorder (if you don't have one, then get one.) If they don't identify themselves, simply hang up. If you get a call again within the next few minutes, inform them you will be reporting this "strange" harrassment/illegal activity to your state attorney general's office. In fact, I even mentioned to a caller the other day that I was very concerned about IDENTITY THEFT, and only accept information through written communication via the USPS. They hung up immediately.

[JRScott]

Legally they do have to identify themselves, obviously they didn't want to by hanging up.

What I'd do is get an answering machine. Turn the volume down and leave a message with your name and that you aren't available at the moment to leave a name and number at the beep. Then just return the calls you want to, you are under no obligation to call back folks you don't wish too.

Also get caller ID, then get the program where calls that block their ID cannot go through to your phone.

Doing these two steps will eliminate a lot of the problems.