why are debt collectors aggressive?

Question

I was assisting a friend with some debts that he has from several different creditors. When I called one of the collection companies the representative took a position like if my friend owed the money to him personally and was very unpleasant to talk to. I called a few more and they where all the same. All I wanted to know is what address can we send a verification of debt letter as well as a cease and desist letter to. The rep got so rude and asking over and over ''When are you going to take care of this debt ?'' it took him like 15 min to give me an address to his corporate office. I am a manager for a hotel and when a guest wants the information for my corporate office any one in the hotel would be happy to give it to them with a big smile on there face. Why do debt collectors act like you owe them money personally and act like that ? They must have a ice pump for a hart

Answer 1

They have to be aggressive since many time when trying to collect they are met by some dangerous people who would do anything to keep unpaid debts. Some get beaten up, stuff thrown at them. not an easy job. Part of their job, a heart is not required for positions as such. I had 1 that would always send me threatening letters even though I was paying, I wrote him a letter telling to go h.ll and f.. off. Start sending all the letters back.

Answer 2

Debt collectors are aggressive because that is their job. If you have a debt in collections, they try to recover it through intimidation, threats and guilt. They cant come and shake you down for the money so they will try to trick you into paying anyway they can. That's how they earn a paycheque. There are several trains of thought on this. Some say debt collectors are the lowest scum of the earth, but they are people and they are trying to earn a living. Personally I think they are crap sacks. Many people accrue a debt due to inexperience with finances or their financial situation changes and they have trouble paying back the debt. Like they don't feel bad enough that their lives are in turmoil, you have some turd sack harassing you for something you just can't pay. Debt collectors are professionals and trained to use fear and other tactics to get you to pay up. The first thing to understand is why they are doing it, you need to understand debt in the first place. Here is a quick run down. Lets say you fall behind on a cell phone bill and the provider sends you your warnings. Over time, they realize there is a high chance they wont be able to collect payment from you. What they do, is put that debt out into a form of market. Potential credit agencies buy up that debt for pennies on the dollar. In essence, your debt is auctioned off to the highest bidder or whoever is willing to try and collect the debt. The cell company takes the money they offer to recover some of the cost of your debt owed to them and call it a day. After all, they are not in the business of debt collection, they are in cell service provision. So lets say you owe them $100, the credit collector may buy your debt for $10. Then they go to work on you. Not a bad business considering that if they are successful, they could make a nice profit of over $90 (due to accrued interest and "fees" added). The agent yo9u speak to gets paid a bonus if he gets you to pay up as well. Debt collectors feel this false sense of power because they are tasked with trying to push people around, and if successful makes them feel like a bigshot. Of course they are unpleasant to talk to, its part of the tactic, many are willing to pay up just to make the pain in the *** go away.

Answer 3

Debt collectors use Psychological pressure to get you to pay them money owed, they assume that you are an idiot who knows nothing and they play on that presumed lack of knowledge and also aggressively play on the element of fear that all people in debt have when they cannot pay their debts. th ebst course of approach is not be afraid of them, they cannot do anything to you other than collect money owed, they have no rights to be aggressive to you and you should not forget or accept that, in fact if they are aggressive, you have two options, be aggressive back, or make a formal complaint to the top management of the collections agency.

Answer 4

Debt collectors get fed up hearing the same excuses over and over. It's frustrating having people constantly dodge you, automatically communicate aggressively with you and lie repeatedly to you after (in a lot of cases) you have given them plenty of opportunity to resolve the debt. Also, who wants to always be the bad guy chasing money from people? It makes for a stressful job. Not all debt collectors are nasty though. Most will be reasonable if you communicate with them respectfully.

Answer 5

You almost have it. They have NO heart.

Their job is to collect delinquent debt.

When you get so far behind in your payments, do not expect anyone to hold you by the hand.

The person you owe money to has given up being a nice guy, and now it is time for them to let some ^*$(%$ handle it.

Answer 6

It's their job to be aggressive (personally I'd rather starve in the streets than add to someone's misery like that), but know that you also have rights when dealing with them.



http://www.careonecredit.com/knowledge/you-are-entitled-to-fair-debt-collection-practices.aspx

Answer 7

they have to be aggressive to deal with the deadbeats who do not pay their bills like they agreed.

I have no sympathy for such people. they need to pay up or deal with collection agencies.