How to Handle Creditor Calls
Almost everyone has been delinquent with a creditor at some time. The creditor has a right make calls to determine how and when he will be paid, but he does not have the right to harass or make false statements to the customer. In most cases, creditors just need a promise of when you will pay. Keeping the conversation civil is the responsibility of both the customer and creditor.
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Instructions
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Make sure the debt is legitimate. If it is not, tell the caller you will not pay the debt because it is not valid and ask not to be contacted again. Follow up with a letter refusing payment of the invalid debt and requesting no more calls. Report any further calls from this creditor to the agency overseeing creditor actions.
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Return phone calls to creditors. Refusing to communicate with the creditor will simply delay the problem and increase the frequency of the calls.
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Admit your financial situation. Be honest in dealing with creditors. They want to be paid, but if you make arrangements with them that you cannot possibly keep adds to the problem and makes the creditor more difficult to deal with.
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Remain calm. Financial difficulties can be stressful and emotional, but yelling and cursing is not the answer. You need the creditor to help you in this situation. Rude behavior on the part of either you or the creditor will not solve the problem.
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Keep your payment promises. If something unexpected comes up, call the creditor to make new arrangements. It is better to advise the creditor of your situation than to break the promise and then avoid his calls.
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Refuse to accept threats from a creditor. If the caller is being rude, ask to speak to a supervisor and then remain calm when talking with the caller's superior.
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Threaten bankruptcy or an attorney only if you are serious. Creditors are not frightened by these threats because they hear them all the time. The creditor usually knows when bankruptcy is a real possibility for you.
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Tips & Warnings
Make a note of the time, date and name of the person who called you and what agreement was reached. This may help avoid more problems later.
Never have a family member or child lie to a creditor for you. Creditors have heard all the stories before and they know you aren't really in the shower every time they call, no matter what your child tells them.
