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Negotiating WithDebt Collectors - Part 2
1. Lowball what you can afford. In the debt negotiation world, “I
can afford $500” really means “I can afford $1000.” It is important
to communicate with debt collectors in the language they understand.
Part of this has to do with the skeptical mindset held by many in
the debt collection industry, but much of it has to do with the fact
that the collector wants to feel like they got as much as they
possibly could have from you.
2. Memorize the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA). This
dictates what debt collectors are allowed to do. In the event a
collector crosses the line, let him or her know. Nothing puts a
collector on the defensive more than a consumer who is knowledgeable
about their rights.
3. Provide a written statement demonstrating your hardship. Again,
most collectors like to know that they got as much from you as
possible. If you provide documentation of a reduction in income ,
medical issue, or anything else that will show that your inability
to pay in full is the result of circumstances beyond your control.
Just remember to protect any important private information like your
place of employment or checking account number in any documentation
or statements that you submit to them.
4. Time it. Negotiations are much more likely to result in favorable
outcomes at the end of the month or at different periods of
delinquency. Most collectors’ performance is based on their monthly
numbers. If a collector is short of their quota or needs one more
deal to get a higher commission, many will be tempted to offer
highly favorable deals to accomplish this. Other times you can get a
highly advantageous offer right before the debt is set to be moved
to another collection agency.
Negotiating with debt collectors got you down? Please feel free
to call (877) 274-1260 or
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and we’ll contact you as soon as possible.