Debt collectors

[MrJames]

anyone ever have one of those debt collectors call who think they can say and do what ever they want and tend to scare the bajesus out of most?

I had one call last year when I was trying to settle my debt on my own and I just couldnt swing any of the payment options he gave me. he got pretty pissy with me and I said "well you know you cant get blood from a turnip" he replied with "nope,but I can have that turnip thrown in jail PDQ" I sorta laughed about it knowing he couldnt have me thrown in jail over a $475 debt so I said "well a roof over my head and 3 square meals a day sounds much better than what is in my future..so bring the cuffs and an orange jump suit and Ill be waiting at the end of my drive with my turnip costume on" he called me a dead beat and hung up on me...Im not a beet at all! Im a turnip dang it!!

[DeadManCrawling]

Haha, that was good!

We once had a call where they threatened to put my elderly in-laws in jail. We were brand new at the time, but knew that was impossible and just laughed at them. We did not know anything about FCRA unfortunately or could have pursued them and won, with a recording of the call.

Some real scumbags at some of these garbage pits called collectors.

[Nicollette]

I once had a debt collector tell me that BK will not protect me and that he would get his money.

[RainMoM]

Mr James, that was a good one !! Wells Fargo was on the phone with my husband and they asked him, what he does with all of his money ? She wanted to know all of our expensives and what we do with our extra money? Who the hell has extra money in times like this ??? Needless to say she wasn't very happy when he told her .. that's none of your business then hung up on her.. I wonder, do they get a bonus at the end of the year like AIG does, for being extra rude to people ??

[BigJohn]

The way the laws can be manipulated and twisted, I would not be surprise if somebody will be able to get blood out of a turnip soon.

Collectors can be the most invasive type of people around. With our technology today I am not surprised somebody hasn't came up with a database of all the colectors' telephone numbers and then offer a service that would answer your phone for you if a collector does call and all they hear is all the sounds that are emenating from one of Grand Central's bathrooms.

[optimistic1]

I had one call the other day talking about he knows where I am employed, and what I am going to about this. I told him nothing, nothing at all, if you want your money just sue me.

[RainMoM]

one even called my hubby's HR department to see if he was still working

[klandsb]

When I told one "this call could be monitored or recorded " he hung up on me so that is my new answer when they call... I guess we are not allowed to do that but its ok for them to record you .. It's harrassment ....

[treehugger1]

It depends upon your state. There are issues related to two-party mixing with one-party collection laws. However, if you tell them the call is being recorded, then I would guess you have covered all bases. In my state, I can record anything I want; however, there are cases on the books suggesting that a one-party state recording a two-party state could potentially lead to trouble in the two-party state.

It doesn't matter. I tell them all that the call is being recorded. They can choose to hang up or continue. Some will continue, but their tone really changes, as it should. You never know when such a recording might come in handy; either for you or some legal firm filing a class action lawsuit. Or, when it might be appropriate to send your recording to your CA unfriendly Senator or Representative.

[Bell30656]

My statement always went: "This call IS being recorded for compliance with Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and applicable federal and state laws. Remaining on the line is consent to monitoring and or recording." Of course, many times if the caller had listened closely they would have heard the Atlanta traffic in the background and probably realized I was on my cell.

Since the debt collectors always made me confirm that I was me and my last four, I returned the favor. I would insist that they identify his or her self by name, correct name of the company and state of incorporation. If they refused to do so then I refused to speak to them about the debt. We could talk about the Braves, the weather or a current movie but not the debt until they confirmed the information I asked for.

[BigJohn]

My statement always went: "This call IS being recorded for compliance with Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and applicable federal and state laws. Remaining on the line is consent to monitoring and or recording." Of course, many times if the caller had listened closely they would have heard the Atlanta traffic in the background and probably realized I was on my cell.

Since the debt collectors always made me confirm that I was me and my last four, I returned the favor. I would insist that they identify his or her self by name, correct name of the company and state of incorporation. If they refused to do so then I refused to speak to them about the debt. We could talk about the Braves, the weather or a current movie but not the debt until they confirmed the information I asked for.

They called you so they should verify who they are first. Only fair. We shouldn't have to identify ourselves which could sit ourselves up for identity theft.