I am a family member of a consumer who owes a debt. Collectors constantly call me about this family member. Even after I tell them that I will not get involved in the situation, they continue to call me. Collectors should be required to stop contact with family members with a simple verbal request from the family member.
With today's technology, the debt collector or creditor should not only record the conversation, but provide the recording to the consumer via an email link as well as to a repository within the FTC / CFPB in via an email link. This way everything is documented. This would curb the verbal abuses and threatening attempts some rogue collectors practice. If a dispute is made by the consumer over a debt, they can document the call, yet the debt collector or creditor cannot provide thier copy of the call, then the debt is CLEARED. That will force the debt collectors and creditors to obey the law. This is an easy process to implement given today's technology.
Calling a debtor at work is counter-intuitive; if collectors are continuously calling someone at work, other employees may report it to the debtor's supervisor. Most companies have established rules about receiving or making personal calls from company or cell phones during an employee's working hours. If a collector or creditor calls a debtor on his/her cell phone and is informed that the debtor is at work, the call should be terminated. No calls to employers should be allowed as this jeopardizes the debtor's job. How does that help in debt collection? It doesn't.
Unscrupulous debt collectors use this tactic trying to force people into agreeing to repay a debt. The threat of debt collection calls at work is a powerful incentive to repay a debt.
I agree. I have been harassed for years (after getting a new cell phone number) from debt collectors calling for someone else. I presume it is the person who had my phone number before me. No matter how many times I tell them that they have the wrong number, they just keep calling over and over.
The problem is that cell phone customers have to pay for the minutes that are used. I have pre paid cell service and debt collectors are calling me all the time looking for someone else who I do not know. This is the problem. Harassment to the cell phone owner and harassment that the cell phone owner must pay for. this is why it will always remain illegal for debt collectors to call cell phones.
If a collector is calling from a different number than the one they are displaying on Called ID, that should be not allowed. Does not allow the consumer to block those calls since the number displayed is not the one actually calling.
People get fired for personal calls at work. I worked at a place where employee phone call was recorded and randomly monitored due to the sensitivity of our work. And every now and then an employee would get caught making/taking a personal phone call and would be fired with no questions asked. Work is not the place for personal business.
"You should just answer and ask them not to call you."
see robocalling, picking up just lets them know this is the prime time to make future calls since you're home at this time. Account keeps changing hands, repeat.
"It takes time for us to update our do not call lists..."
I once had a debt collector send collection letters to my work address. They had my home address. I think this should also be prohibited. Who gets personal mail sent to them at work?
linalex61
1
This should really stop. no one can talk at work and should not.
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anonymousme
2
I am a family member of a consumer who owes a debt. Collectors constantly call me about this family member. Even after I tell them that I will not get involved in the situation, they continue to call me. Collectors should be required to stop contact with family members with a simple verbal request from the family member.
View this comment in the discussion thread
bvogler
3
With today's technology, the debt collector or creditor should not only record the conversation, but provide the recording to the consumer via an email link as well as to a repository within the FTC / CFPB in via an email link. This way everything is documented. This would curb the verbal abuses and threatening attempts some rogue collectors practice. If a dispute is made by the consumer over a debt, they can document the call, yet the debt collector or creditor cannot provide thier copy of the call, then the debt is CLEARED. That will force the debt collectors and creditors to obey the law. This is an easy process to implement given today's technology.
View this comment in the discussion thread
bonzarel
4
Calling a debtor at work is counter-intuitive; if collectors are continuously calling someone at work, other employees may report it to the debtor's supervisor. Most companies have established rules about receiving or making personal calls from company or cell phones during an employee's working hours. If a collector or creditor calls a debtor on his/her cell phone and is informed that the debtor is at work, the call should be terminated. No calls to employers should be allowed as this jeopardizes the debtor's job. How does that help in debt collection? It doesn't.
View this comment in the discussion thread
Cindy L.
5
Unscrupulous debt collectors use this tactic trying to force people into agreeing to repay a debt. The threat of debt collection calls at work is a powerful incentive to repay a debt.
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grabershane
6
Calling someone's work is clearly and without dispute intended to embarrass and annoy. It is never acceptable.
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stopwithspoofedcallerID
7
I agree. I have been harassed for years (after getting a new cell phone number) from debt collectors calling for someone else. I presume it is the person who had my phone number before me. No matter how many times I tell them that they have the wrong number, they just keep calling over and over.
View this comment in the discussion thread
stopwithspoofedcallerID
8
The problem is that cell phone customers have to pay for the minutes that are used. I have pre paid cell service and debt collectors are calling me all the time looking for someone else who I do not know. This is the problem. Harassment to the cell phone owner and harassment that the cell phone owner must pay for. this is why it will always remain illegal for debt collectors to call cell phones.
View this comment in the discussion thread
CG
9
If a collector is calling from a different number than the one they are displaying on Called ID, that should be not allowed. Does not allow the consumer to block those calls since the number displayed is not the one actually calling.
View this comment in the discussion thread
stopwithspoofedcallerID
10
People get fired for personal calls at work. I worked at a place where employee phone call was recorded and randomly monitored due to the sensitivity of our work. And every now and then an employee would get caught making/taking a personal phone call and would be fired with no questions asked. Work is not the place for personal business.
View this comment in the discussion thread
CG
11
"You should just answer and ask them not to call you." see robocalling, picking up just lets them know this is the prime time to make future calls since you're home at this time. Account keeps changing hands, repeat. "It takes time for us to update our do not call lists..."
View this comment in the discussion thread
hollygogo13
12
Debt Collectors should be barred from "spoofing" their phone numbers.
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hollygogo13
13
I once had a debt collector send collection letters to my work address. They had my home address. I think this should also be prohibited. Who gets personal mail sent to them at work?
View this comment in the discussion thread