If this describes you and your situation, keep reading, because in this issue I'm going to give you some tips about how to deal with an aggressive collector.

When a credit card company - or any other creditor - calls about a delinquent account, extracting money is their only goal. They're trained to use every weapon in their arsenal to get that money. They don't care what they have to do to get it. They'll use psychological weapons, threats, coercion - whatever it takes. The best thing you can do is to know your rights and keep your cool.

The very best thing you can do when dealing with a creditor on the phone is take control of the call. Because you're the debtor you may feel like your options are limited. The fact of the matter is you have a lot more power than you realize. They're calling you because you have something they want: Money. That gives you an amazing power over them so use it to your advantage.

Use that psychological and financial weapon to your advantage. Tell the collector - firmly - that you'll talk to them as long as they remain polite and respectful, but the minute they blow it and treat you like a stray dog, you're out of the call. Don't be afraid to follow through. Trust me; they'll call back another day.

If you don't have the money right now to pay them, tell them that. Ask them what options are available. Don't be surprised if the only option they give you is a check by phone transaction. Whatever you do, don't authorize one. If you give them electronic access to your checking account, they could potentially clean your account out. And a judge is unlikely to be sympathetic to your complaint that they stole money from you...considering you owe them money.

Instead, tell them what you're willing and able to do - and then do it. But do it by mail and pay them with a money order. Don't send a check drawn on your personal checking account because checks are routinely being converted to electronic transactions. Do you see the danger?

I'm not trying to needlessly scare you, but I am trying to educate you on some of the underhanded tactics that some unscrupulous collectors will use in collecting.

If the collector shows his true colors and begins to make threats or demands, stay calm. Here's an excellent tactic that's worth its weight in gold. The louder and more strident they get, the quieter you should get. Instead of raising your voice - lower it. Continue talking while you drop the level of your voice. Whisper if you have to. They'll have no choice but to shut up, if only long enough to listen. When they do, drop the hammer. Tell them very sweetly that Canadian law only requires you to talk to them if you want to and you no longer want to. This should stop the problem at least on a temporary basis.

To recap this technique:

Take control of the call and don't relinquish it Offer to make the payments by mail only DO NOT permit electronic access to your account If they yell at you or raise their voice - lower yours to a whisper if necessary Tell them to discontinue calling you

Copyright (c) 2008 Darrin Roseborsky