When you first get into a debt problem situation with unsecured debt, you may have picked up the advice that you should notify all your creditors about your problems. I'm sure that this is a good idea, but don't expect it to change the way that your creditors deal with you. In most cases they will pass your details to their own debt collection department or even an external debt collection agency that will pester you endlessly over the phone and by letter. It doesn't matter if you told them 2 days ago that you could not pay, they will still phone again just to make sure that you can't pay now (and to keep the pressure on).

How You Can Turn the Tables on Debt Collection Agencies

Most people don't realize that you do not have any obligation to speak to your creditors about your debt problem. With the exception of secured debt such as your mortgage, speaking to them doesn't usually change the outcome. Creditors will follow their own debt collection procedures more or less whatever you do. Once you have notified them you have a problem your time is much better spent considering how you are going to resolve the situation (e.g. Debt Management Plan, IVA, Bankruptcy).

If you dread picking up the phone then there are things that you can do.

1. Use your answering service! Most phone companies provide a free (or very cheap) message-taking service. Get into the habit of not picking up the phone and let whoever is calling leave a message. When you listen back then delete the message as soon as you work out that it is from a debt collection agency.

2. Change your phone line (through your service provider) so that it doesn't accept callers which withhold their number. Most debt collection calls will originate from large call centers that have the "number withhold" set. Using this tactic will cut out a surprising number of calls.

3. Change you number to an ex-directory one. Make sure if you do this that your own number is set to "withhold" otherwise people will gradually get to know it. Do not put your number on any official forms of any kind.

If opening the morning post is a distressing experience for you then get into the habit of scanning the top part of any letters so that you can work out whether it is from a debt collection agency. If it is, then throw it away without reading it! Most of what it contains will probably be unsubstantiated threats and lies anyway so why depress yourself. Do keep any eye out for any court documents, as these do need urgent attention.

If someone does call at your house to try an collect the debt (and for most debts this is extremely unlikely) then get them to establish exactly who they are. If they are a debt collection agent you are under no obligation to speak to them. If they refuse to leave your property the they are actually trespassing! If they are a bailiff you have to be a bit more careful. For most personal debt they do not have the right to enter your property. In fact, it is vital that you do not let them into your own property (or leave any doors unlocked or windows open that they could get through). They cannot push past you when you are standing at the door but if you let them in or they gain access through an unlocked door or open window then they can start removing your goods. It is worth stating again - NEVER LET A BAILIFF INTO YOUR HOME FOR ANY REASON. They will sometimes try and say that they need to use your phone or some other trick to gain access. Don't fall for it.

The idea of turning the tables on debt collection agencies is not to enable you to ignore your debt problem. If you ignore it for long enough it will get to the stage where drastic legal measures are taken. You should use the breathing space given by these techniques to consider what the long-term solution to your debt problems is going to be, and get some good free advice.