That is ridiculous. However, as a lawyer who has done some plaintiff's collections work, I can tell you that at least 80% of these people REALLY ARE deadbeats of the worst kind. (My worst case ... my client spent 2 years pursuing a simple $1000 unpaid consumer bill before he hired me...and then saw the guy driving a brand new Lexis around town.) This does not excuse the behavior of the collection agencies, but it does explain why they are so cynical and impatient.
I'm venture a guess it's more like 90% are deadbeats.
I fully agree, if you owe a bill, you pay it, or make arrangements to pay it and keep those arrangements. However, when you don't owe a bill, there is a billing mistake etc people shouldn't be hounded by collection agencies.
Collections is a billion dollar industry that's basically unregulated even with state and federal consumer protections. The tactics used by debt buyers (scum of the earth IMO) are really bad and rarely is anything done against them.
Plus, when a company can purchase a debt, have access to everyones credit reports, can put the debt on someones report without verification it's a legitimately owed debt or even the right person, I've got a BIG problem with that.
It seems that we're getting to the point in this country when you won't be able to walk into a store to make a cash purchase without someone running your credit report. I'd love to see more protections for consumers when it comes to who can access and/or place information on credit reports.
Driving a Lexis through Grammar City, Heavens!!!
"Lexis" It really bugs my butt.....LOL
Collection agencies give people a chance. To make good on their word once it already has been broken. That chance, FRiends, is rarely given in life. Hooray for collectors!