Debt Collectors: Men or Mice?

Who are these people anyway? They viciously harass you and call you bad names. They embarrass you beyond belief by leaving detailed messages with your neighbors and at your workplace. In extreme cases, they have been known to stalk you!

Debt collection agencies are hired by your creditors to do their dirty work. If they get you to pay, the debt collector usually gets a percentage of what you owe, plus added fees. Some debt collection agencies buy your debt from the creditor for a low fee and attempt to collect double and sometimes triple what you owe on your original debt by attaching high penalties, interest and other processing fees.

Basically, debt collectors make a living trying to scare and intimidate you into paying your bills. They don't care that your finances are in limbo because you have recently divorced or that your employer informed you in the eleventh hour that you were being laid-off. All debt collectors care about is that they will get a slice of the pie-if you pay.

Debt collectors convince themselves that you are a deadbeat, sitting on a stack of cash and refusing to pay. By painting a negative mental picture of you in their mind, they feel justified harassing you into paying a delinquent bill. Most debt collectors are just downright mean, nasty, heartless individuals who make a living scaring "the pants off" of people who are simply broke and trying to survive.

One lady reported that after she vehemently tried to explain to an unrelenting debt collector that she was recently divorced, underemployed and didn't have the money to pay the $12,000 credit card bill her ex-husband left her, the debt collector replied, "Look, fat lady, it's obvious that you could stand to skip a few meals. Just send me your food bill for one week to wipe out this debt!" The lady was horrified-not so much by his remarks because she was accustomed to the debt collector being rude to her on the phone-but by his comment regarding her size. How did he know she was overweight? Had he been stalking her?

Debt collectors use many tactics to research you, especially if you owe a large debt. Remember, their livelihood depends on how many people they can get to pay overdue bills-the bigger the debt, the bigger their payoff.

Despite what debt collectors believe, most people are not faced with buying a ticket to Tahiti versus paying their credit card bill. People who are broke find themselves faced with real-life problems like putting food on the table versus paying a credit card bill!

Keep in mind that debt collectors are no different than you are. As the saying goes, "they put their pants on one leg at a time." They cannot physically harm you and the mental abuse they throw at you can be easily avoided (visit www.brokemansurvivalguide.com)

A.M. Harris is he author of The Broke Man's Survival Guide: 50 Clever Strategies to Use When You Are Unemployed, Underpaid or Just Dead Broke and Can't Pay Your Bills. Visit http://www.brokemansurvivalguide.com for more information.

---

Taking The Plunge Into Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is one of the most difficult things a person... Read More

Bankruptcy Interest Increases as Deadline Approaches

Congress recently passed sweeping legislation that will significantly reform American... Read More

Is Debt Negotiation Bad?

Educating yourself about the ins and outs of debt negotiation... Read More

The Bankruptcy Code Acknowledges the Validity of the Homestead Exemption

Many times the subject of bankruptcy seems baffling in its... Read More

Budgeting and Debt Management

Debt management (specifically unsecured) is the first step to taking... Read More

Secrets to Why Debt Reduction is So Vital for Your Financial Health

Living with debt is never a good idea if you... Read More

The New Bankruptcy Law -- How Will It Affect Debt Negotiation?

In April 2005, Congress made sweeping changes in U.S. bankruptcy... Read More

Personal Debt Reduction Practices

Personal debt reduction practices, the steps people take to relieve... Read More

British Families and Debt

There is current concern from the Bank of England that... Read More

Debt Elimination

If you're reading this article right now I'm sure that... Read More

Life After Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy and Credit - What Happens After Your Debts Are... Read More

Debt Consolidation and Personal Finances: Learn the Truth!

An inability to manage credit, growing debt and bankruptcy are... Read More

Pay Off Your Student Loans and Reduce Your Debts

Financing a college education is one of the more expensive... Read More

Debt is The Master of Souls

Wholeness requires separation. In order for you to experience yourself... Read More

Should You Invest In Savings Or Payoff Your Debts?

I have faced this financial question 8 years ago and... Read More

Debt Relief with this Simple Formula

Is there a way to get out of debt without... Read More

Dont Drown Your Debts, Manage Them!

Are you among the millions of people who have found... Read More

Debt Consolidation Versus Debt Negotiation

Debt consolidation versus debt negotiation are two options that are... Read More

Help to Get Out of Debt

Debt Help is the stepping stone to debt elimination and... Read More

Top Ten Reasons People File for Bankruptcy

1. Eliminate the legal obligation to pay many of your... Read More

Questions to Ask a Credit Counseling Service about Debt Relief

Debt relief is a topic on a lot of consumers'... Read More

Debt Elimination 3

Planning To Achieve Debt EliminationOnce you have started the process... Read More

What is Bankruptcy?

Personal bankruptcy is a legal way to give people with... Read More

The Road to Debt Relief

Living with debt is not something someone hopes for, but... Read More

Currency Trading Fee Concept

Troubles with Global Economy; Do you see future problems with... Read More

How to Avoid Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is a legal way to offer folks with high... Read More

A History of Money and Banking Secrets That Banks Dont Want Published

A History of Money and TradeTo start with a history... Read More

Is There Any Way To Get Out Of Debt?

In this era where we are bombarded daily with commercials... Read More

The Debt Free Lifestyle

Many people have been taught that you cannot get ahead... Read More

Take Careful Consideration Before Filing Bankruptcy

Filing bankruptcy is not fun! It is a last resort... Read More

5 Methods Toward Reducing Your Debt

Decreasing your debt is paramount to having a good credit... Read More

Debt Settlement

What is debt settlement?Debt Settlement is a process to settle... Read More

Bouncing Back from a CCJ

Should you be unfortunate enough to face a CCJ ?... Read More