An undated press release that came out yesterday, touting to be the “Do Not Call” list for collection agencies caught my eye and I thought it would be good to let everyone know about it.
The release promotes the launch of DebtCollectorRegistry.com, which is offer a subscription service that appears to insert itself as a registered third-party that would act as an intermediary between collection agencies and individuals. The service is being offered at $1.95 per month for people who “can’t pay an agency & just want calls to stop” or $4.95 per month for people who want to “start rebuilding & want help from experts” by offering unlimited credit counseling.
The site claims that debt collectors “love” this service, “because we solved a lot of problems for them as well by creating a centralized database & website for electronic communication, allowing them to reduce overhead and complaints.”
Putting aside that the site thinks “agency’s” is the way to spell the pluralized form of “agency” (sorry, the editor in me will never die), the site’s link to its page promoting its mission, goals, vision, and commitment is not working, nor is its page for people who want information about volunteering or participating.
The site does have a page for collection agency owners, which says that they “feel” your pain. They want your contact information so that “we may help facilitate electronic communication with your customers and reduce expenses and virtually stop lawsuits.”
“For years, government and industry leaders have tried to find common ground to update collection laws and solve current issues, but have not been successful,” said Peter A. Brunson, the site’s chief operating officer, in the press release. “This centralized database solves the problem.”
They are trying to trick agency owners into giving them contact info so they can pepper them with “do not call” notices. I’m not an attorney, but my understanding is that a “do not call” request would have to come directly from the consumer or their attorney. Nevertheless, I would not provide them with contact info.
They probably just send the agency a cease and desist letter like the debt settlement companies do.