All creditors should be required to in writing inform the debtor who the debt has been sold to, what the debt collectors contact information is, and what number they can expect to receive calls from regarding the debt.
Any form of written communication should count as a notice in writing. If a debt collector receives a notice via email of contact they should be required to follow it.
The consumer should be allowed to record all calls for proof of conversation with collectors. And once a collector received a notice to not contact a debtor at their workplace it should be required that they do not even for "location"
The entire point of collectors calling debtors at work is to intimidate and cause fear of loss of employment to the debtor and the practice should be outlawed unless the debtor opts in to receive calls there. Its well known that companies like Sallie Mae will continue to call debtors at work even after being told not to.
Sallie Mae shouldnt be able to send out notices claiming a debtor qualifies for a repayment plan with lower payments and then when the debtor calls they claim no such plan exist.
It would be a good idea to create a national database of collectors and assign them an ID number just like the IRS. Require them to state their name and ID number just like IRS employees do. This would allow debtors to easily identify an abusive collector or just call a debt collection agency and ask to speak to a specific employee. If they call and leave a voicemail they are required to state their ID number somewhere in the recording. It would be good for both debtors and collectors.
This is a collectors favorite. They call over and over to harass debtors and they should be limited to one call per day with a required voicemail stating their purpose.
Like most regulatory programs additional cost would be inevitable, it could be paid for by a yearly fee that collectors pay to be a licensed collector.
With a fully communicative voicemail identifying the purpose of the call I think one call is quite diligent. If they choose to call and leave no message then they might as well have done nothing. At least this way their message is being delivered.
brendandavis
1
All creditors should be required to in writing inform the debtor who the debt has been sold to, what the debt collectors contact information is, and what number they can expect to receive calls from regarding the debt.
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brendandavis
2
Any form of written communication should count as a notice in writing. If a debt collector receives a notice via email of contact they should be required to follow it.
View this comment in the discussion thread
brendandavis
3
The consumer should be allowed to record all calls for proof of conversation with collectors. And once a collector received a notice to not contact a debtor at their workplace it should be required that they do not even for "location"
View this comment in the discussion thread
brendandavis
4
The entire point of collectors calling debtors at work is to intimidate and cause fear of loss of employment to the debtor and the practice should be outlawed unless the debtor opts in to receive calls there. Its well known that companies like Sallie Mae will continue to call debtors at work even after being told not to.
View this comment in the discussion thread
brendandavis
5
Once an attorney is retained all debt collection action should cease as a bankruptcy usually follows.
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brendandavis
6
Consumers should be able to record. End of discussion.
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brendandavis
7
Sallie Mae shouldnt be able to send out notices claiming a debtor qualifies for a repayment plan with lower payments and then when the debtor calls they claim no such plan exist.
View this comment in the discussion thread
brendandavis
8
It would be a good idea to create a national database of collectors and assign them an ID number just like the IRS. Require them to state their name and ID number just like IRS employees do. This would allow debtors to easily identify an abusive collector or just call a debt collection agency and ask to speak to a specific employee. If they call and leave a voicemail they are required to state their ID number somewhere in the recording. It would be good for both debtors and collectors.
View this comment in the discussion thread
brendandavis
9
This is a collectors favorite. They call over and over to harass debtors and they should be limited to one call per day with a required voicemail stating their purpose.
View this comment in the discussion thread
brendandavis
10
Like most regulatory programs additional cost would be inevitable, it could be paid for by a yearly fee that collectors pay to be a licensed collector.
View this comment in the discussion thread
brendandavis
11
With a fully communicative voicemail identifying the purpose of the call I think one call is quite diligent. If they choose to call and leave no message then they might as well have done nothing. At least this way their message is being delivered.
View this comment in the discussion thread