How to Deal with Debt Collection Calls

How to Deal with Debt Collection Calls: The last thing anyone wants to deal with is a debt collection call, but it’s an inevitable part of becoming debt-free. While it can be tempting to bury your head in the sand and screen the calls, this will only end up hurting you in the long run. The best thing to do is face the music and speak to your creditors, but it’s important to know how to deal with debt collection calls before taking them. 

Keep reading for top tips on how to act when a debt collection agency calls you. 

Make Sure You Have Enough Time

This is going to be an important call, so you want to make sure you have time to calmly work through everything that needs to be discussed. The last thing you want is to rush through serious matters. Take a deep breath and take your time. 

Take Extensive Notes

There’s a strong chance that the collector you’re dealing with will be taking notes, so it’s important to do this as well. Taking detailed notes is a great way to make sure you understand everything that’s going on and is incredibly helpful should matters escalate in the future and you go to court. This will help you understand who is calling you from where and can also help you understand how often a particular collector calls you. If a collector starts harassing you and using abusive language, it’s also important to keep a record of this as well in order to keep you protected. 

Keep a Low Profile

Now’s not the time to go into your current financial situation or detail your career path. Kindly ask the debt collector to send you more information about the debt that you owe. It’s okay to verify your address in order to receive this information. Other than that, keep a low profile. Do not admit to owing anything you haven’t seen. Get the debt verified before you accept responsibility in any fashion. 

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Do Your Homework

Once you’ve received further information about the debt that you owe, it’s time to do your homework. First, make sure that you definitely owe the debt in question. Next, make sure the debt is within the statute of limitations. Just because the statute of limitations has expired doesn’t mean that a debt collector can’t sue you. It limits a debt collection from suing you. 

Figure Out Next Steps

If the debt in question is definitely yours and is within the statute of limitations, it’s time to figure out how you’re going to proceed. Depending on what you want to do, you have a few different options. You can decide to pay the debt off in full if you have the means to do so. You can also put forward a settlement offer. While debt collectors ideally want you to pay the outstanding balance in full, they sometimes will be open to settlement offers in order to close your account quickly. While you can pursue this by yourself, it can also help to have expert advice. 

Stay Calm

Debt collectors are notorious for calling nonstop and unfortunately using inappropriate language when trying to get people to pay back their debt. If you think that your debt collector is harassing you, it’s important to gather as much evidence as you can to make your case. Examples of harassment include abusive language, calling before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. or calling you nonstop within a short period of time. It’s important that you also stay calm. The last thing you want to do is stoop to their level. Keep your cool and hang up if you need to. There’s absolutely no reason to tolerate abusive behavior from a debt collection agency. 

You Got This

While speaking to a debt collection agency isn’t fun, the sooner you get it over with the better. Just remember to stay calm, take notes, do your homework and make sure you don’t tolerate any unacceptable behavior.