primitives freak out about the dreaded debt collector phone call

[BattleHymn]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1284906

The working poor group is a gold mine of hilarity at the DUmp.  I highly recommend visiting it from time to time.

Fri May 6, 2016, 06:58 PM
shadowrider (4,754 posts)

Does anyone else freak out when you get a phone call and the caller ID says, "Card Services"?

I have one credit card that has an exceptionally, unbelievably high interest rate of 36% (due to bad decisions I made years ago) and $2850 on a $3000 card, and they call literally 20 times a day. Cell phone and home phone. They are relentless.

Anyway, I called them and told them I'm willing to make arrangements to get the card caught up. I'm "only" 2 months behind. I used to have 3 jobs but lost one when the business closed (it was a mom and pop, I was the "courier" for the company). I have recently however, gotten another job that will allow me to quit one of my two other jobs. There is a slight raise with the one job over two of them but I'm keeping the last job because it pays more.

So, I'm talking to the guy, told him i got a new job and he starts telling me, "No arrangements. You're working, we want our money". (That's a disadvantage of having a high interest credit card, they WON'T work with you). If I could have crawled through the copper lines, I would have, then strangled the guy. I pleaded with the guy to give me a break because I'm starting a new job and haven't gotten paid yet. He gave me an additional week past my first pay date, but charged me $40 to do it. (Because I'm going past the due date, it's a "late charge", again. Yes, they kick you when you're down).

This is NOT, NOT a call for help. I am NOT asking for help. I got myself into this mess and I'll get myself out.

I was just wondering if others out there are experiencing the same thing.

Fri May 6, 2016, 07:00 PM
apcalc (466 posts)
1. I block 'em.

After I tell the electronic voice to drop dead.

Fri May 6, 2016, 07:06 PM
AgerolanAmerican (736 posts)
2. It's a trap

Tell them you won't pay and they'll have to write it off.

Then block their numbers and ignore their mail.

Trying to work with sharks like that never turns out well. They'll squeeze you dry and then still stick you for whatever's left. The principal will magically never go down.

BK it out if you have to. They'll pull $100k out of you for a $3k debt if you allow them to.

Do NOT let them control your life. The 20x calls/day thing is unlawful and you should start recording the times they call.

I was in that situation once. As much as I tried to honestly pay it down they pulled every trick in the book to keep it perpetual. Eventually I realized it was a no-win game, and stopped playing it.

Look up "debtor's rights" and find the laws specific to your state. You may be able to sue them and make a profit out of the situation.

Fri May 6, 2016, 07:30 PM
Star Member dixiegrrrrl (46,133 posts)
3. Play your cards right ( no pun intended) and you can sue them.

There are rules about what debt collectors can and cannot do.
These guys usually break them.
You can document the calls, date/time/person and if they violate the rules ( times when they can call, who they call, etc)
you can file for money in small claims court.

If they are debt collectors and NOT the original credit card company, it means they bought the debt for pennies on the dollar.
They have to play by the rules.
Those rules were passed thanks to Elizabeth Warren, btw.
Look the rules up online, keep a copy, and during any calls, pepper THEM with questions about who is calling, what their name is, company name.
The rules say if you request it, they have to stop calling you, and only contact you by mail...

get tough, stand up to them. They are playing on your fear and insecurity, but YOU have the power to take control.

Fri May 6, 2016, 08:17 PM
Star Member Fresh_Start (7,728 posts)
4. have you tried credit counselling services?

if you can find one, they should be free to you
they will negotiate with the creditors
and then the creditors won't call you

Fri May 6, 2016, 08:58 PM
shadowrider (4,754 posts)
5. From everything I've found out

credit counseling services work FOR the companies calling and it's a bigger hit on the credit report (since it says you can't handle your own debt).

Thanks for the tip, but I'm willing to work this through.

I was just curious if other people have been receiving calls like this.

Nope.  I pay my bills on time.  That seems to be the root cause of your calls, idiot.

[Carl]

But this endless parade of losers in life all know what is in our best interests.

[RobJohnson]

[USA4ME]

The Working Poor Group

All of the primitives there have to be moles. Since January 2009, there are no more working poor because Dear Leader fixed all that. Why are these individuals trying to make him look bad by suggesting they don't have enough?

.

[SVPete]

Fri May 6, 2016, 06:58 PM
shadowrider (4,754 posts)

Does anyone else freak out when you get a phone call and the caller ID says, "Card Services"?

I have one credit card that has an exceptionally, unbelievably high interest rate of 36% (due to bad decisions I made years ago) and $2850 on a $3000 card, and they call literally 20 times a day. Cell phone and home phone. They are relentless.

Anyway, I called them and told them I'm willing to make arrangements to get the card caught up. I'm "only" 2 months behind. I used to have 3 jobs but lost one when the business closed (it was a mom and pop, I was the "courier" for the company). I have recently however, gotten another job that will allow me to quit one of my two other jobs. There is a slight raise with the one job over two of them but I'm keeping the last job because it pays more.

Ummmm ... I'm thinking that while some bad decisions were in the past - poor education choices, foolish use of credit that lead to a bankruptcy - some foolish decisions appear to be ongoing: maxing out a super-high interest card; job hopping. The dude needs to buy big bags of lentils, eat almost nothing else (maybe get some eggs or cheese to get the amino acids the lentils lack), and confine his/her activities to work, eating, and sleeping. And don't use the damn credit card until it's paid off! And after that, maybe get a pre-paid credit card to use instead. It would be a boring life, but it would be temporary, and it could lead to better. Looking into a GED (if needed) and/or classes at a local JC wouldn't be a bad idea.

[jukin]

The Working Poor Group

All of the primitives there have to be moles. Since January 2009, there are no more working poor because Dear Leader fixed all that. Why are these individuals trying to make him look bad by suggesting they don't have enough?

.

Yeah I now. I am amazed at the food bank and food giveaway ads on TV. I'm not too worried as when a republican gets elected there will be homeless, working poor, seniors struggling, and hungry children. Under Preznint Shit Midas it is all roses.

[Patriot Guard Rider]

Yeah I now. I am amazed at the food bank and food giveaway ads on TV. I'm not too worried as when a republican gets elected there will be homeless, working poor, seniors struggling, and hungry children. Under Preznint Shit Midas it is all roses.

Correct. Once a republican wins the WH, on the day after inauguration all the problems will be there that are being ignored now.

"How can unemployment be 5% with 94million out of the workforce, how about all the homeless, what are you going to do about that?" and so on and so on.

It amazes me. For 8 years, it was all Bush's fault. Now, all the racial discord is Trump's fault. There is a mysterious 8 year gap there where no blame is applied.

[SVPete]

It amazes me. For 8 years, it was all Bush's fault. Now, all the racial discord is Trump's fault. There is a mysterious 8 year gap there where no blame is applied.

A Responsibility Gap!

[I_B_Perky]

But this endless parade of losers in life all know what is in our best interests.

Not only that but we are stupid knuckle draggers that apparently vote against our best interests!   

[Tess Anderson]

Everything is okay for now, shadow hit up his brother (again):

Response to shadowrider (Original post)Sun May 8, 2016, 03:19 PM
shadowrider (4,755 posts)
9. Well, some good news

After speaking with relatives, my brother has decided to pay off the credit card bill for me. I have to repay 1/2 of the normal payment every month, zero interest, until I save up and pay him back 100%.

The family knew nothing of my situation and got upset with me for not coming forth earlier.

His brother ought to know that he'll never see the money again - shadow *might* pay him a few dollars for a couple of months. Another DUmmy I thought was probably a millennial but turns out shadowrider is 62/63 years old.

[franksolich]

Another DUmmy I thought was probably a millennial but turns out shadowrider is 62/63 years old.

We're seeing a lot of this; in fact, too much of it.

What gives with all these old primitives posting as if they're young kids?

[BlueStateSaint]

We're seeing a lot of this; in fact, too much of it.

What gives with all these old primitives posting as if they're young kids?

Acid flashbacks.  Has to be.

[CollectivismMustDie]

They probably need this first:



 

CMD

[SVPete]

We're seeing a lot of this; in fact, too much of it.

What gives with all these old primitives posting as if they're young kids?

Evidently, Baby Boomers who never grew up. I wonder what he was doing in the early 70s when he might have gone to college. In all seriousness, I suspect recreational chemicals were in play. I'm a year or two younger than him. I didn't do drugs or alcohol, but many our age did. Neither make you smarter or boost your career.