What was I thinking?

[chloe0724]

I talked to my first creditor calling today. Up until I decided to file, I have never missed a payment.

It was a courtesy call to see if they could make a payment by phone. I told them I had no money to pay. Get this, my normal payment was $375. Missed the April payment and becuase of late fees and interest my current amount due to bring me back to level is $740!!!!!!!! That's a lot for just a few weeks late!!

Anyway, I can't believe I did this, but she asked me for any number I would prefer to be called on and I gave her my cell. I'm an idiot!! I thought she would change my numner to that, then she then asked me to confirm my home number and address. I told her that it's what they have on file. I knew the line was being recorded because I could hear the beeping. She never told me that.

She was really nice, and when I explained my situation, she suggested Credit Counseling. I asked her if it was worse than bankrutcy. She said it's so much better. It is so not!!!

Anyway....just wanted to vent

[HHM]

Note...beeping does not necessarily mean the call is being recorded.

But yeah, do not give out your cell phone.

[Cassiopeia]

A "courtesy call" to see if you can make a payt by phone. Uh huh.



(HUGE amount of interest/late fees!!!!!! Doncha just detest those people? I am SO glad I don't have them after me anymore!)

[lrprn]

I talked to my first creditor calling today. ... Anyway, I can't believe I did this, but she asked me for any number I would prefer to be called on and I gave her my cell. I'm an idiot!!

No, you are not an idiot - you are just a person who is used to trusting people and taking them at face value. As you have discovered, folks who want their money may be nice on the surface if you are cooperating, but it's only to get you to cough up money they want. They can switch on the strong-arm tactics in the blink of an eye because they are trained to get to you psychologically any way they can.

If you are someone who can be "sweet-talked" by a person who is treating you nicely into volunteering more than you intend to without realizing it....ummmm....kind of like volunteering your cell phone number to a creditor ...then it's best to put a message on your answering machine clearly identifying yourself and let the creditor and collector calls go to phonemail.

There is absolutely no rule that you have to speak to any creditor or collector at all, ever. If you clearly identify yourself so they know they have reached you, that can prevent them from calling others trying to reach you (the only legitimate reason allowed for contacting anyone but you about your debt).

If you speak at length to creditors and collectors, you can accidentally end up giving them information or stating things in a way that could later be used against you. Best to not talk to them if you can avoid it.

Several of our members have have good results sending "cease and desist contact" registered, return-receipt letters to their creditors telling them to contact them only by mail or only at a certain phone number. Most creditors will comply at least for awhile - that takes some of the pressure off dealing with them on the phone.

You made a small mistake - it's ok. You learned from it - that's what counts. You'll be more prepared and tougher the next time.

[pa308]

Anyway, I can't believe I did this, but she asked me for any number I would prefer to be called on and I gave her my cell.

Macy's always calls on my cell. I dont know how they got it because i dont recall ever giving it out. My cell phone lets me personalize the ring for phone numbers so I have Macy's set to vibrate. They call me every day.

One creditor asked if i would like to provide them with my work number, and I said no, thank you very much!!

[Keebler]

I agree..

I've been able to keep calls to a minimum by talking to my creditors during my drawn-out wait to file. They ARE clever and they DO ask questions that are difficult for normal people to avoid.

I'm frequently able to have conversations with them where I have the upper hand but it's not something everyone can do. My wife, on the other hand, seems helpless to defend herself against thier prying questions and gives out way too much information.

If your not good dealing with high-pressure people who pretend to be your friend (like used car salesmen) you should avoid the calls completely. On the other hand, if you can think on your feet and give non-answer answers to questions without lying or giving away secrets, you can keep the collectors pacified and buy time if you need to.

An additional benefit of talking to them is when you get a caller who's somewhat cooperative. I've been able to get good information regarding the dates the account was placed for collection and important decision dates for the account to change hands. I've been keeping records of all the places my accounts have gone so all of them can be notified when I do file.