Truth be told, anytime someone in the credit and collection industry sees a headline in a mainstream media outlet that declares: “True confessions: What it’s like to be a debt collector,” they likely cover their eyes as they scroll down the page and worry about anecdotes that portray collection agencies as boiler rooms with people screaming at individuals over the phone, but in this case, it’s not altogether terrible.
This particular article speaks to three different individuals who said they worked or are currently working as debt collectors. While setting the article up that nobody dreams of becoming a debt collector, the article does include quotes from all three individuals sharing fairly accurate representations of what collection agencies are trying to do.
Bryan Franzoi has spent more than 15 years in debt collection and even though he has worked with some bad collectors, he says the stigma about debt collectors is incorrect. “Ninety-nine times out of 100, there’s a totally wrong misconception,” Franzoi says. “They’re really just trying to put you in a better financial situation.”
The best way for individuals to be deal with aggressive collectors, advises Kerri Fivecoat is to ask to speak with someone else. A collector who is not making “headway” with an individual will likely be ok with transferring the call to another collector, she said.
The collectors also acknowledge that individuals should never hide from collection calls and not respond. Being honest with a collector will help the collector identify potential solutions that work for both sides. Good collectors understand the financial position that individuals are in and will be empathetic.
