would you be a collector?

Hey,
Rules for becoming a collector:

Remember to treat people like you would like to be treated. That means also, don't bully people on the phone.

Remember that not everyone is a deadbeat, everyone has had different experiences.

Don't suggest ways to get money that are outrageous.

Follow all the rules of collection that are legal. If you don't you will find yourself, and/or your agency in court.

Validation is not simply a printout with an amount at the bottom.

And finally, if you come to this board, be good, be polite, read, and don't start a war by being a troll ;-)

 

Never. As a matter of fact I applied for a position at Bellsouth and was offered a different postion (some of you may remember this). The job title ~~~Collections Manager~~~

Couldn't, wouldn't, and glad I didn't do it.

 

No... not for a CA or inhouse.

Some friends work in a Citi call center and they beg to get off collections or move to the settlement level. They know they can't do anything for the person who has hit hard times until it's at least 3 months past, except demand payment immediately. As it ages, it moves to other CSRs, who can offer settlements.

I tried to use that to my advatange, but only Chase was willing to settle as the account closed in on charge off date. I was afraid to talk to Citi, worried it was someone who knew me or our family. <g>

 

I wouldnt. I wouldnt feel right harrassing people as they've tried harrassing me!

Plus, I think you have to have good credit to be a collections agent. I dunno for sure though!

But, my answer is NO!

 

No, you don't.

 

Oh ok...I never knew that. I always assumed as much b/c everytime friends of mine apply, they always get told that they'll be checking their credit for any derogs or payments in default/collections.

 

AGENCY COLLECTORS (Beggars)
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Correctly deemed the worst-type of collection agents! They too operate from a computer database that contains all of the information regarding you, provided to them by the original creditor. When an outside agency gets your account, it has been 'charged-off' for non-payment. They too make more then 200-250 calls a day and the name of their game is also... $$ MONEY $$!
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An agency collector receives a commission averaging from 15-25% of what they can collect. Most are paid bonuses if they hit a quota and a good collector can make $40-60K per year, if they work hard. However, most collectors are fortunate to make half of that amount. The problem is that the majority of them (70-80%) routinely step over the line to increase the monetary rewards of their actions. The debt collection business is plagued with a huge turnover in employees and by that nature, is a largely transient industry. Unfortunately, far too few consumers complain enough about debt collectors crossing over-stepping there bounds, usually because they are intimidated and embarrassed about their dilemma. It has been my experience that the average debt collector is male, has a large ego, bounces around from job to job, have a lot of debt themselves, suffer from low self-esteem and enjoy using the telephone as an instrument of empowerment. The see themselves in a position to take advantage of those they deem weaker, in an effort to overcome their own insecurities. They normally will talk-over any issues you may have, threaten and intimidate you, lie, misrepresent themselves, abuse, annoy and attempt to push you as far as they can if the rewards to them of self-gratification and money are realized. The spectrum of collectors I've encountered over the years, in dealing with literally thousands of them have ranged from the low percentage of honest and hard working (20-30%), to the average of deadbeat scum that is either just out of, or heading back into a jail cell (70-80%). Collecting is male dominated and because of the shortage of skilled workers, agencies are hiring anyone who can walk and chew gum to make their calls. Social skills, education and career orientation are NOT normally the prerequisites for a debt collector â?? money beggar position.
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From standard phrases such as: "what is your intent" to "I'm going to recommend that our client take immediate legal action against you." The innocent unsuspecting consumer feels threatened and even terrorized by the antics of terrorist debt collectors. The really bad ones will call you at work, violate third party disclosure, or worse, in order to intimidate or threaten you with arrest or wage garnishment if they don't have the money today! They persuade you to pay off old debts using your new credit card, via Western Union wire transfers, bank drafting, debit checks and cash. They will tell you your credit report will be clean and your soul will be saved fro hell, (halleluiah!) if you just send them the.... $$ MONEY $$. The National Consumer Law League, (NCLC) and the National Association of Consumer Advocates, (NCLC) assist attorneys across the country in pursuing agencies and collectors who violate the law and your rights. Collectors are learning that the phone name they use and the perceived anonymity of hiding behind a telephone can easily be overcome with the modern technology of today and investigative techniques. Some collectors are learning first-hand that they too, can be charged with making threats over the phone and that their employers do not provide bail money, or legal representation as a perk. Creditors are increasingly becoming less tolerant of agencies that allow abuse and will drop those that don't comply. I urge you to complain about collector abuse by contacting the FTC, the American Collectors Association, the original creditor and your state bar association (against attorneys), or myself if you feel your rights are being violated. There is a nationwide group of professional consumer attorneys, skilled in debt collection laws that passionately defend the rights of consumers against these illegal collectors. No consumer should ever suffer abuse from a debt collector, the laws WILL protect you!

 

Breeze-
Funny this was brought up, the CA (who usually has their FDCPA sh!t together) is hiring up here (NH), and in the ad it says you must have good credit.

They have always properly validated on everything with DH, but for some reason the fudged up with me. All well, money in MY pocket if they want to be dinks

 

LOL@Dinks

 

When I lived in DC, the people I knew who worked for Hecht's inhouse collections DID have to have good credit. I don't know how perfect but definitely not an awful report. Same for friends that work at some of the major banks such as Fleet and BofA.

 

I probably wouldn't last too long as a collector. To paraphrase an old sales adage, nice collectors have skinny children.

wajaba