Staying Professional when Calling Debtors

What’s appropriate to say to a debtor when trying to collect?

When you’re trying to collect money, positive comments and professionalism can go a long way. Particularly for consumer debts, you need to be careful about legal restrictions on when and how you make contact. For example:

• Don’t say you’re going to sue the debtor if you don’t actually intend to file a lawsuit if you don’t receive payment. 
• Don’t talk to third parties about the debtor’s account.
• Don’t threaten or harass a debtor.
• Don’t try to collect debts directly from a debtor who has just filed bankruptcy (see last month’s article).
• Don’t threaten debtors with criminal charges if they don’t pay the debt.
• Don’t contact debtors directly if you know they’re represented by a lawyer in relation to the debt you’re collecting.

The FDCPA and other consumer laws limit the times of day for collections calls, limit the number of times a call may be placed, restrict the people who can be contacted about a debt, restrict what you can do if you’re asked not to call again, and the list goes on. Mistakes can get you sued.

Get more tips for calling debtors in our latest article.

Learn More from a Trusted Michigan Debt Collection Expert

Have questions about Michigan debt collection, or ready to file a claim? Reach out to the Mullers at (248) 645-2440 or submit a contact form here. If you need a second opinion, check out reviews from our clients!