Debt collection officer offering advice

[harajuku]

So, I'm aware that many of you see me as a bit of an 'enemy' but after stumbling across this site it made me think. I understand that trying to pay back debts is stressful and can be quite scary at times so I was hoping to offer a bit of insider advice to anyone who might be struggling to find satisfying answers to questions.

Specifically, in relation to charges and systems of letters etc.

 

I'm hoping that no one is going to start hurling abuse at me (ironic I know!) and I genuinelly hope to perhaps put a few people at ease!

[flyingdoc]

People will judge you by the advice and attitude you show to people on the site.

 

People cannot always choose their employment, which is understood.

 

If the advice and help you give is correct and not just DCA posturing then welcome to the site.

[sosumi]

If you can help harajuku, then you're more than welcome

[maroondevo52]

Hello and Welcome, harajuku.

 

If you can help people on this site, then your more than welcome

 

Regards.

 

Scott.

[mr.ton]

Hi Harajuku & welcome.

No-one will give abuse if you are pleasant & respectful etc.. (and vise versa of course)

It would be interesting to hear your side of the debate for a change.

[cerberusalert]

The proof of the pudding is in the eating

[mr.ton]

We await the OP's next post/his views on everything with interest?

If anyone gives the OP abuse when uncalled for then wo-be-tied them

[Werner M]

.....I have a feeling this Thread is going to be very interesting !!....Welcome !

[lilly white]

Good Day to you and welcome

 

regards

[mr.ton]

I get the feeling we all have a "waiting to pounce" mentality here as soon as the OP says something we dont like or agree with.

I for one will respect the OP's viewpoints so long as its not trolling or done to belittle/abuse debtors etc...

If i disagree with something said, then i will say so & explain why properley.

The same should apply to everyone else.

[lilly white]

May i asked what is debt collection officer mainly what role

[mr.ton]

Oh the OP has gone

With respect, i fail to see what advice any "debt collection officer" can offer to be honest, but it would have been interesting to hear it nevertheless.

Like i say to everyone on here & every DCA i speak to...they have no legal powers over an individual whatsoever, only the county court does - thats the top & bottom of it basically.

[harajuku]

Mr.ton I do feel like everyone is waiting to pounce at certain comments (!) but my intentions are simply what I originally stated.

And no, I did not choose this career I simply fell into it whilst studying for my PhD so I am completely unbiased!

Lilly White, basically I am employed by a private debt collection company and then allocated accounts from many different banks. We're instructed to collect the full amount from the account holders however we are also permitted to offer settlements within certain boundaries and circumstances. All of our accounts are pre court and have been passed in many cases to other collection companies prior to ourselves. The reason debts are often passed from one company to another is simply because the creditor is not satisfied with the progress being made (or not!) by the company working on behalf of them! Naughty debt collectors!

 

The main questions I was hoping to answer were ones involving why you may have been sent that particular letter or why am I having the same phone conversation every few days, why is no one listening to me etc?

 

My personal opinion on people who have debt is simply that you may have had certain circumstances which haven't enabled you to clear your balances for whatever reason and my job is to listen to those and work out how we can get this repayed. So no, there are no intentions to belittle/abuse people in debt!

[WOOD73]

subbing, this will be interesting, if only to get a bit of insider knowledge.

[sosumi]

Harajuku, you were upfront and honest about introducing yourself, which is good!

Help where you can, whenever you think you can

[Monty2007]

Mr.ton I do feel like everyone is waiting to pounce at certain comments (!) but my intentions are simply what I originally stated.

And no, I did not choose this career I simply fell into it whilst studying for my PhD so I am completely unbiased!

Lilly White, basically I am employed by a private debt collection company and then allocated accounts from many different banks. We're instructed to collect the full amount from the account holders however we are also permitted to offer settlements within certain boundaries and circumstances. All of our accounts are pre court and have been passed in many cases to other collection companies prior to ourselves. The reason debts are often passed from one company to another is simply because the creditor is not satisfied with the progress being made (or not!) by the company working on behalf of them! Naughty debt collectors!

 

The main questions I was hoping to answer were ones involving why you may have been sent that particular letter or why am I having the same phone conversation every few days, why is no one listening to me etc?

 

My personal opinion on people who have debt is simply that you may have had certain circumstances which haven't enabled you to clear your balances for whatever reason and my job is to listen to those and work out how we can get this repayed. So no, there are no intentions to belittle/abuse people in debt!

 

Hi

 

Have you had much experience of debtors who challenge the enforceability of their agreements? What is your in-house process?

[mr.ton]

Mr.ton I do feel like everyone is waiting to pounce at certain comments (!) but my intentions are simply what I originally stated.

 

I appreciate that Harajuku.

But what you have to realize is the majority of people on here have had their lives been made a misery by the DCA's.

They have been driven to desperation & despair by the constant harrassment that DCA's put them under.

Through this site..they find the means & the strength to "fight back" when they have nowhere else to turn.

People on here have differing levels of dislike towards them - some more/less than others.

Me personally - i dont "hate them" as such (i used to) but now ive gone beyond that, i just pity them & enjoy baiting them all the time coz i know that they have no legal powers/authority over the individual whatsoever.

The people like yourself are "only doing a job" - i respect that, all folk have to make a living somehow.

So its not you personally people would "hate" - its the system that you are a part of

[sofi]

Hi Harajuku, am hoping you can give me a bit of advice. I received a letter from K.P.R debt collectors this week and have been asked to make payment within one week. If I fail to make this payment, what would happen?

[lilly white]

Thank you for your reply

 

May i asked say there is an outstanding amount of debt what is consider reasonable for repayment. ie will it be monthly over say 5 years or what ever

can be offer

 

i would welcome your view on reasonable

 

regards lilly

[WOOD73]

I have a question, who decides wether someone is a 'cant pay' or a 'wont pay'? and on what basis is the decision taken?

[mr.ton]

my job is to listen to those and work out how we can get this repayed.

 

I say this with the greatest respect Harajuku.

But there simply is nothing you (or your company) can do to get any debt repaid, as a DCA has no legal powers to obtain any monies off a person whatsoever.

They know this full well, thats why they have to make so many "threats" in their letters & apply so much harrassment etc..

Your industry in general plays on the hope that the debtor you are speaking to does not know their legal rights & will just pay up asap.

The courts are the only one's in this country that have the power to force money out of the individual - the DCA industry does not.

Am i right in saying that it costs a DCA money to take a person through the county court system?

If so, that would explain why many dont go anywhere near the places even though they threaten they will.

We both know its not worth their while just to get repaid £1 per month once all essential outgoings have been taken into account.

[harajuku]

Hi Monty2007.

Yes, everyday. However, it's a very simple response that we have to give back. If (and I hate this term) a debtor questions a copy of the agreement being produced we cannot provide it as you are already expected to have acknowledged all that information prior to it being with ourselves. Having said that, we are pre court, so different companies will have different ways of dealing with it.

 

In regards to enforceability I'd say speak to your creditor, if a company is passed the debt on then it's up to us when and how we chose to take steps against you. E.g. straight to legal teams or doorstep collection after letters and phonecalls. If you are worried about why it is your bank may have passed the debt on then you need to look at how quickly you're paying it or if you've made a repayment late. In many cases, one default is enough to send it on. Hope I've helped with the question, I realise now they are a little vague.

 

And Mr.Ton, there's nothing worse than a debtor trying to wind you up on the phone! Stress balls at the ready.

[MARTIN3030]

I echo all thats been said so far.Harajuka,you may or may not be aware that in the past (and indeed still) we have had quite a lot of people here from the Debt collection industry purpoting to be here to assist,inform,and debate many of the issues and concerns of our members.

In many cases,the motivation and contributions from these people has proved to be anything but.

Therefore you will have to accept that until you can show some genuine reasons for being here,and gain the trust and respect from members,then there will be suspicions.

 

If the sort of things you read about here,are not things that you practice or agree with,no doubt you will be aware of them.

One of the biggest complaints is those Debt collectors who are affiliated to the CSA and DBSG whose codes of practices are seldom observed.

Telling people here how things operate and the processes,is something which most are quite knowledgeable of.

Its moreso the inability by many DCAs to follow these by the regulations thats more of a talking point.

 

From what you say so far looks encouraging,lets hope that you are able to make some good contributions.

I have no doubt that if your quest here is not all it appears,then it will come to the fore sooner rather than later.That said.....Welcome to the site.

[mr.ton]

. E.g. straight to legal teams or doorstep collection

 

Thats another thing i want to get to bottom of once & for all if i may?

Why do DCA's threaten "doorstep collection" when they know full well that they have no legal powers to obtain any monies/or any goods off the person there & then?

The collection agent can simply be told to go away & if they dont, can be reported to the police for a breach of the peace.

I ask you Harajuku respectfully - is your industry/company not aware of this?

[harajuku]

Sofi, does the letter you have mention legal proceedings? Have you called them up and spoke to them about it? Normally the letters that get sent out are generic and part of a system so if no response is made from the first one then after a certain amount of time the next one is recognised by the system and automically sent, does that make sense? Just because the letter may mention seven days it does not in any way imply that you MUST pay within seven days. The collection company will not have any legal power to MAKE you pay within an allocated time. Just give them a call and explain your circumstances. If possible, ask for settlements.

When it comes to letters, they're simply designed to make you call in.

 

Hi Lilly, it depends on the debt. If it is still with your creditor that should be fine over 5 years but if it has been passed on then you need to check with the companies policies on repayment time periods. And they cannot tell you to pay a certain amount in a payment plan if you can justify why you cannot make the repayments. Call in with your income and expenditure.

 

Wood73, that is down to the agent dealing with the account. In my personal opinion, someone who 'wont pay' won't take my calls or respond to letters. If someone genuinelly cant pay then I will listen to their reasons and go through their income and expenditure and set them up on a payment scheme which THEY are comfortable with. No one wants to make anyone not be able to feed or clothe themselves. If you fall into can't pay then DON'T just hang up whenever someone tries to call or put the letters in the bin as this automatically makes the collector think you won't pay and further action may be taken.