Collection Calls

One of the questions I invariably get from clients and prospective clients alike is what to do about collection calls.  Generally the time this is important is once a prospective client has decided to file a bankruptcy, but before that bankruptcy is actually filed.  My first response is that nothing good can happen during a collection call.  First, there is no institutional memory for a collection call.  Every agent in a call center has 250 names per day to call, and only a few pieces of information they can take down.  If you were to tell a collection agent that you were just diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, and until your recuperation is complete you won't be able to pay a penny on that visa card balance, you would be speaking to a wall.  They don't write down your story anywhere, tomorrow's call may come from a different collection agent; even if it came from the same agent he or she might not remember the conversation.  Secondly the collection agent doesn't care why you aren't paying, only that you aren't paying.  Third, people making calls in a call center generally don't have any power to make changes in your account.  There are definitely people at that collection agency or at the credit card company with the power to suspend collections, or even discharge the debt you owe.  The people with that power, however, won't be calling you on the phone 3 times a day.  Finally, although many collection agents are perfectly polite and civil, some can be extremely nasty.  So my advice is never to have a conversation with a collection agent.  If you can tell in advance they are a collection agency, let the call go to voicemail.  If you don't figure it out until you have already answered, tell them you have to go, thanks for calling!

If you have decided that a bankruptcy makes sense for you, and if you hire me to file it, I will field your collection calls.  Once you have made a down payment, tell the collection agent "Please call my bankruptcy attorney, Mike Daniels, at 246-9385.  Don't ever call me again."  Then hang up.  Rebecca or I will field these calls, tell the collector that you are going to file a bankruptcy and we'll make sure they get notice.