Dealing with Collection Calls

• Author: Daniel A Edelman
• Profession: Lawyer
• Pages: 71-74

71

Dealing with

CollectionCalls

CHAPTER

17

What to Say and What Not to Say

Because of the prevalence of abusive and scam debt collectors and the theft of information via hack-

ing and similar means, a consumer should never agree to pay a debt based solely on a telephone call.

You should beware of any debt collectors that demand immediate payment or request that you provide

bank account information over the phone.

Such demands are often coupled with

baseless threats of arrest, lawsuits, and

the like. Demands and threats of this

nature are indicative of scams. Even

if you receive a call from someone

purporting to represent the origi-

nal creditor, if you do not personally

recognize the caller, call the company

back at a number you obtain from a bill

or the Internet.

If you are dealing with a debt collector or debt buyer, you have the right to a written “notice of debt”

stating who currently owns the debt. If the original creditor owns the debt, call the creditor and ask who,

if anyone, the original creditor has authorized to collect the debt. If it is not the original creditor, call the

original creditor and inquire whom the company sold the debt to. You may have to contact successive

purchasers until you get to the current owner of the debt. Contact that party, and make sure that the

person attempting to collect the debt is authorized to do so.

WARNING

Beware of fake debt collectors,

which often have obtained infor-

mation about your debts through

various means.

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