A lot of people get quite anxious whenever a debt collector contacts them through calls or messages. This may be because of a bad experience with a previous debt collector or because they are not in a good financial position to pay the debt. Whatever the reason might be, it is important to learn about debt collectors and debt collections as it will also help you to handle collectors when you owe the debt.
A Few Facts About Debt Collection
- The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act was enforced by the Federal Trade Commission under which any deceptive, unfair or abusive debt collection practice is prohibited
- Despite the Act, there were most consumer complaints from debt collection than any other industry
- The rise in these complaints do not mean that collectors are being harsh or breaking laws, they properly follow all the rules for debt collection
Being a Debt A Collector is An Unpopular Career Choice
Pursuing debt collection as a career is not quite a popular career choice for individuals. Most debt collectors receive negative comments from people when they introduce themselves as a "Debt Collector"
Although being harsh or assertive is not a great way to get them to pay back the debt obligation, it sometimes works in the collector's favor to be a little more forceful. But not all collectors are the same; some have worked wonders with debtors and got the money-back just by speaking in a calm and composed manner and providing good solutions for the consumer.
How Much Do Debt Collectors Earn?
Debt collectors earn money based on their experience and hard work. You need to be well-versed in the field if you want to earn a good amount of money. Moreover, the state you work in broadly impacts the money that you earn. For instance, you can earn up to $60,000 in certain states in the US, whereas only $30,000 in another.
The average salary a debt collector earns per hour is about $14, which is over $37,000 a year. The salary can vary according to the position of the collector and any bonuses or commissions offered by the clients.
What To Do When Debt Collectors Call?
Debt collectors will often call you when you are already struggling financially and have passed the due date for the payment of debts. When this happens, ignoring the collector's calls or messages is something that you should never do. It will only add to your problems because then the issue becomes legal.
Being honest with the debt collector is something you should do because it will help in the resolution of your problem. No debt collector wants to belittle you; they will only provide you with better payment options or break your payments in too little amounts, which will only make it easier for you to repay your debt.
The Process is Emotional For Both Parties
Getting out of debt can be quite emotional for you as well for the debt collector because often, people fail to repay not because of overspending, but because of an illness, accident, or unemployment.
In such a situation, the last thing you expect is for a debt collector to call you. But a lot of people have also cleared their debts when approached by the right collector. A lot of emotional stories come in a debt collector way throughout the process; the key is to keep calm and understand the situation.
How To Improve and Succeed in Debt Collections
To be a successful debt collector means that you must possess excellent communication skills because it is what will bring back your client's debts. Also, always be equipped with a good knowledge of the accounts you are dealing with, provide better repayment options to the debtors, and be professional in your work rather than being aggressive.
In conclusion: Debt collectors are often seen as shady people who will do anything to get the money they want. The truth is that debt collection agencies exist for one reason and one reason only, which is to collect debts owed by consumers. They have a legal right to contact you about your unpaid bills or invoices.