[chris1]

I am in the collections business myself and have to say that this puiece is very one sided. There are many many people who do in fact try to STEAL from creditors with no intetnion of ever paying it back and know they don't face any jail time. What's the solution? Tell these people its ok to screw creditors and not pay what you owe?

[FreeLibertarian]

Are you the original debt holder just trying to collect bills owed to you or are you in the business of buying debts from the original holder for a percentage of the original debt and then pursuing payment from the debtor?

[whereasandsoforth]

Oh, com'on! What percentage of the people you deal with are doing that? Most people would rather pay their bills. Situations happen, and people get behind. Its being treated like they are sitting on a pile of money refusing to pay that is upsetting. Crooks are crooks, but the average Jane and Joe are just trying their best to live.

[cincinnati65]

Having also been a collector, I have to agree. At least 90% of my "business" was repeat business, that is, customers I saw month in and month out and collected every single payment. For most of these people, the whole collections effort turned into a giant game of let's beat the system as long as possible. I was fair with those that needed help, but the true deadbeats (habituals) were the ones that I had to turn it up a notch on. Still, it appears that I played by the rules.

[lewislynn]

I am in the collections business myself and have to say that this puiece is very one sided.

This from the same person who has no problem making the blanket claim real estate brokers/agents do "under the table" deals and are as bad as lawyers...

Everyone but you noble debt collectors are unscrupulous..Right?

[Psycho_Bunny]

I was in 3rd party collections for a couple years, then worked 6 years in a recoveries unit at a bank in the dealer/auto group.  I'd say only around 30% of the debtors who make it to 3rd party collections are responsible and decent people who have run into bad times and genuinely want to, but can't pay their bills. 

Maybe even only 20%.  And most bill collectors recognize them and leave them alone.

The rest are deadbeats, self-important "high flyers" or credit criminals.

[Old Professer]

What's the solution? Tell these people its ok to screw creditors and not pay what you owe?

You could try getting a job that will let you sleep at night.