Politicians Start Off The Year With A Stern Warning To Collection Agencies

Almost everyone who has been in debt has received the dreaded phone call from a collections agency. But sometimes one phone call turns into twenty, and even worse, an agent may be aggressive and threatening on the phone.

Even though collections agents are simply trying to collect on a legitimate debt, some companies have been using unfair and intimidating tactics that has been drawing much negative attention to the public eye, particularly politicians.

Some of the more hostile policies peaked the interest of James Caldwell, Louisiana attorney general and General Ron McKenna, Washington attorney who have both promised to make accounts receivable management firms and their owners clean up after themselves.

Already, Caldwell has swiftly obtained injunctions on January 8th against two collection agencies that were not following proper procedure with the standards that have been set for obtaining debt.

On that very day McKenna also stated that his office had just come to an agreement with a collection agency that agreed to follow the new restrictions that have been established.

Some of the new boundaries that these collection agencies must comply with include more effective communication. This means that any attempts to embarrass the debtor, harassment, intimidation, threats, and profanity are now out of the question.

With these recent settlements, these collection agencies that are being audited will not be allowed to intimidate debtors through insinuations like telling a debtor that failing to pay a debt will result in a suspension of her debtor's driver's license.

Finally, although these collection companies are able to lawfully report debts to credit reporting agencies, they are no longer allowed to threaten debtors with impairment of their credit rating.

Although it is a fact that collections agencies are understanably trying to collect a legitimate debt, two issues must be brought into consideration. First, People who owe money are just that people, who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. But almost as important, if a debtor is terrified of a hostile collections agent who calls them constantly they very well may just stop picking up the calls, leaving themselves in debt, and the collection agencies with nothing.