How to Deal with Aggressive Debt Collectors

“If you think nobody cares if you’re alive, try missing a couple of car payments.”- Earl Wilson

It’s a funny quote that hits straight to the heart. Who could ever deny this fact? When you miss on bill payments, you’ll receive stacks of love letters from companies threatening to cut off your service.

This is even worse with credit card debt. If you evade due dates, regardless of your reason, expect your phone to ring off the hook. Debt collectors would surely swarm your daily life with unacceptable payment deals. What’s worse is some won’t even accept reason or your attempt for a bargain. Most of these collectors only want one thing and that’s for you to pay NOW.

Impossible, right? The term “now” won’t always be applicable especially when you have other financial troubles you need to prioritise. At times you will have to refrain from paying your credit card bills just to keep your apartment for a month. During these instances, your lender or debt collector has to be informed of the situation. This might help them reconsider their impossible deal. But if you get intimidation instead of sympathy, Todd Ossenfort, the Credit Guy, advises you to do the following:

Stand by your bargain and do not founder. Don’t force yourself if you know you can never, in any way, keep up with their payment term. This will only complicate matters more. Ask politely for a viable deal. But if they keep harrassing you, move on to the next level.

Stop answering their phonecalls and send a written offer to the agency. Indicate the amount you can afford to pay each month and enclose your first payment. This will give the impression that you mean what you said.

If that doesn’t work, hire an attorney who’s an expert in dealing with consumer debt issues. You can demand that all communications concerning debt go through your lawyer. Having an advocate to advance your side is better than having to face all retaliation by yourself.

You can also seek assistance from nonprofit credit counseling agencies. They can advise you regarding debt management and even assist you in negotiating with collectors.

Being head over heels in debt is no one else’s fault but yours. But this doesn’t give anyone the right to treat you without respect and consideration. Deal with nasty debt collectors the right way and you’ll have a sturdy peace of mind, which will allow you to tackle debt step by step.