I have co-worker, who, while we speak everyday and do the same job but for different departments I would not call her a â??goodâ? friend. She may/or may not have sign up for a credit counseling company. Our company has one central fax where everybody and their bother can read any in coming fax. Well, she had a fax come in from a CCS company an when I walked in to the room there was other associates reading it. I pretend that I was looking for an incoming fax and they handed the stack over I processed to put it in her mailbox. It was in depth and listed debt and assets and how they would reduce her month payments the whole nine yards. Should I tell her that others have read it? Should I tell her that most of what that company can do for her she can do herself?
1) You should tell her that you witnessed others reading her fax. 2) You should not offer your opinion about the contents of that fax, an action which would demonstrate to her that you also have effectively violated her personal privacy boundary as well. Sometimes it's hard not to offer an opinion, especially when you know you're right. Regardless, in this case it would be best to maintain that boundary, especially since: a) she was victimized by so many others, and b) you aren't close friends. Doc
Absolutely!! Wouldn't you want to be told? If she gets mad, she is stupid, don't worry about it. If she listens she will be much better off. And she shouldn't let them fax stuff like that to her at a number where others can read it.
Thanks Doc It has been bugging me all weekend. It happened Friday. I will just tell her that others had read her personal fax. The only reason I saw the debt/asset page is because that was the page that was on top when the associate handed it to me. i put it back in proper order before I put it in her mailbox. Thanks Doc
Maybe Doc is right, but I would probably try anyway. I usually tell my story to people I see who are in trouble, and then sometimes they open up and share theirs. Sometimes I leave a news story or magazine article around where they can see it, or even "steal" it, if they want it.
Breeze Thanks for the support, I want to say something but I think Doc is right bring up that subject would only prove that I read the fax too. All I saw was the page that was on top the debt to asset page which I sure was the worst one to see. I let her know about the others and just ask if everything is ok. If she answers ok then I'll know she doesn't want to talk about it. Thanks guys, as usually, great advise that really helps.
I would say something about others reading it, but maybe tell you that she may want to think twice about having such personal things faxed to the workplace. Since she knows how the envrionment is there.
I know nothing! Didn't see anything. I'm sorry who are you? I would just stay out of it completely. End up telling on your co-workers, then they are mad at you! Tough spot, I look forward to the update.
Oh cmon you two. Some friends you are. If I were desdimona's friend I would WANT her to tell me if she could help keep me from making a very serious financially disastrous mistake. And I care enough about my friends to "butt in" if I can help them, even if they do get pissed at me. It's worth it if I can help save their butt for the next 12 years. (5 years for CCCS pmt plan, 7 years on cr) imho.
I see nothing wrong in telling. The person should be aware of the options, there is no need to push, just to make aware. If they take your lead fine, if they don't fine too. It is a free country, people should have a choice on how to approach their debt. www.creditsense.com
I wouldn't say anything. I wouldn't even tell her the coworkers were reading it. What for? She will feel her privacy is invaded. It will make her upset at the coworkers and the coworkers upset at you. Which leads to a pretty hostile work environment. If you haven't given her the fax yet I would slip in some information about validation/verifications, FCRA, etc. She can always think it came with the fax. My view would be different if she was a close friend, relative, etc, but if she is only an associate/peer I wouldn't say anything unless she asked or volunteered information. People get very antsy when speaking about their finances and most don't want strangers to know they are having financial trouble. Hope this helps. Dani
Why are they faxing it to her workplace anyways? Logic would state that at least one person in ANY office would be an inconsiderate butt head and read other peoples faxes. That said, I would tell her. She should know that it is not smart to have confidential docs faxed there and next time she might be more careful.
If I were in your situation, I would approach her cautiously, saying this may be none of my business...and you can end this discussion...and I don't mean to be nosy but...etc. and then say that I noticed b/c the pages were out of order when the fax came in that you're considering credit couseling and that you have some experience re this subject. She may or may not be interested in hearing what you have to say but you might want to give her the opportunity to benefit from your experience and knowledge. A lot of people don't know what their rights are and would actually appreciate the advice. She is lucky to have someone w/ some credit knowledge working w/ her. If she is not interested then end the conversation never to bring it up again. If she is someone who has a "prickly" personality I would disregard what I just said above. I am just saying what I would do. There is no right answer. I just know that when you're overwhelmed w/ debt, as I was, you might be greatful for some helpful advice. And she might not realize the problems that come from credit couseling. Just by dumb luck, I avoided credit couseling myself but many of my friends went into it thinking that it was a good idea and now really regret it. And it has been a few years since they did it.
Update: Should I stick my nose in? I couldnâ??t think of a good (safe) way of bring up the subject so I went to our office manager (who is a good friend) and explained that I came across some associates reading a fellow associatesâ?? personal fax. I was informed while our company allows personal fax, who doesnâ??t apply for mortgages or loans, and they have no problem with that. What they have a problem with is someone else reading them. So the office manager sent out an office e-mail regard the evils of reading other associatesâ?? faxes. Later in the afternoon I sent the associate whoâ??s fax it was an e-mail telling her that it was her fax that was read. I did tell her that I did see it only to get it away from the two who were reading it out loud. I apologized for bringing to the office managerâ??s attention but I felt she would be the best one to hand it. I asked if everything was OK. She was fine with me telling the office manager and she was glad that I told her. She is in her mid 20â??s and went through a divorce last year. She has a new boyfriend and she was ashamed about her debt. She sat down with her father over the weekend and he didnâ??t like the terms they were offering. (They wanted her to forfeit her credit cards.) She also said she didnâ??t like the hard sell they were pushing. She is somewhat of a princess, so he agreed to loan her some money to pay off some of her debt. All is well. She appreciated my concern, especially getting the fax away from the other associates. In my closing reply e-mail I did tell her that I had, and still have some blemishes on my credit and that it is an ongoing process. I have collected binders full of information regarding credit and credit repair. But I believe her problem might just be high debt. She is one of those who somehow have a new outfit every week has a new Jeep, she goes out to lunch three or four times a week, you get the picture. I left it will if there is anything I can help with, just let me know. I feel better and I hope everything goes well with her. Hopefully, she will steer clear of CCCS. Thanks everybody.
Re: Update: Should I stick my nose in? Thanks for that update. Going to the office manager was a very sound decision. I have learned one thing dealing with prima donna's who think that credit doesn't affect them...eventually it does, and Daddy can't bail them out of that. I had a roommate in college who didn't work, had a closet full of new clothes, new car etc. But she made a ton of payments late. Sure, her Daddy eventually paid off her balances, but she had a crap load of late pays. Couldn't get credit again forever.
