Flying Under the Collection Agency Radar

Fly under the radar. 

Struggling with debt collectors? You need to remember the wise words of Tupac. Yes, I know, I don't put much credence into the words of dead rappers. In this case, however, Tupac is SPOT ON.

"It's strictly business, baby. Strictly business."

So what can we learn from that? It's not personal as long as you don't make it personal. Your goal when dealing with debt collectors is to remain nothing more than an anonymous number. Fly under the radar. Don't tell the debt collector that you're going to assault his tender parts with a cheese grater. Don't cry uncontrollably on the phone. Don't do anything that would set you apart from every other unlucky individual on the collection agency's call list. The last thing you want is for a debt collector (or the company's hired legal muscle) to develop a vendetta against you.

A debt collector with a vendetta against you can and will push the issue. The fact of the matter is, while 9 times out of 10 you're dealing with a peon, by setting yourself apart from the pack you run the risk of angering some of the bigger fish. Even if they're not furious with you, the last thing in the worth you want is to be remembered.

Think of it this way, if one minute you're blubbering and crying on the telephone claiming you have no idea what to do and the next you're firing off debt validations and lawsuit threats, a note in your file that you're a "confused" consumer or "easy prey" may render your attempts to extricate yourself less effective. The same can be said if you threaten or swear at collection agents. You get a warning when you call that those calls are being recorded. Guess what? They are. Do you really want to sue a collection agency for an FDCPA violation and have the attorney pull out your verbal abuse in court? Didn't think so.

Fly under the radar, do what you need to do, and get out. Don't let them remember you. There's nothing more advantageous to you than simply blending into an endless list of debtor names on a debt collector's computer screen.

And my apologies for those of you who ended up here while searching for Tupac quotes. :)