The Debt Collector Asking For Your Tax Rebate Could Be In India
Saturday April 26, 2008
Debt collection joins the ranks of numerous other industries that are outsourcing part of their business to India, reports the New York Times. While collection agencies used to think local collectors would be more effective at getting debts paid, they're now changing that theory in favor of lower costs.
If you get calls from offshore debt collectors in the upcoming months, don't be surprised if they ask for your stimulus check to pay off your debt. Collectors are being informed about the tax rebate and encouraged to get debtors to use it to pay off their debts.
Perhaps, one of the primary concerns about offshoring debt collection is making sure collectors are aware of and adhere to the fair debt collection law that protects consumers against unfair treatment from debt collectors. Now is a good time to become familiar with the law so you can protect yourself. Even if you don't have any past due bills, knowing the law can come in handy when collectors contact you about debts that aren't yours.
Remember, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) applies to third-party debt collectors, not the original creditor.
What do you think about debt collection being outsourced to India?
More to protect yourself from collectors:
If you get calls from offshore debt collectors in the upcoming months, don't be surprised if they ask for your stimulus check to pay off your debt. Collectors are being informed about the tax rebate and encouraged to get debtors to use it to pay off their debts.
“One hundred thirty million U.S. families will get a tax rebate this season” as part of the new economic stimulus package, Manu Sharma, the team leader, explained to a roomful of top-earning collection agents, most in their 20s. Those who qualify for the rebates will get as much $600 a person or $1,200 a household, he said, and “the I.R.S. is going to start paying this money in May.”I'm all for using tax rebates to pay off debt. However, I'm not for collection agencies trying to peer into consumer's wallets and tell them what they can pay. You know your financial situation better than anyone. Be careful that you're not bullied into paying a bill that you can't afford or, worse, one that's not yours.
Start bringing up the rebate during calls, he told them. “This gives you an advantage so you can increase your wallet share,” he went on. “Get them set up on minimum balance arrangements” based around their tax rebates.
Perhaps, one of the primary concerns about offshoring debt collection is making sure collectors are aware of and adhere to the fair debt collection law that protects consumers against unfair treatment from debt collectors. Now is a good time to become familiar with the law so you can protect yourself. Even if you don't have any past due bills, knowing the law can come in handy when collectors contact you about debts that aren't yours.
Remember, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) applies to third-party debt collectors, not the original creditor.
What do you think about debt collection being outsourced to India?
More to protect yourself from collectors:
Comments
As one family who has had zero debt for decades by living on less than income, we deplore the “rebate” tax offered by an administration who has yet to balance a budget of this country!
It seems that talking is cheap, but fiscal responsibilty is not in the cards until we get a new party in charge. Where is the $1200 per family coming from? More debt, on tope of the 8+ billion now owed to bond holders.
We don’t need this money, we have enough for the rest of our years. And the half who have zero to negative net worth will just spend these checks and more, digging still deeper into the pits of debt.
What fools some mortals be!
Duke
Duke did not address the issue at hand. To Rebate or not to Rebate wasn’t the issue. The issue is debt collection going to India. And them asking for your rebate. They have never asked for a regular tax return – why should they be asking for the rebate? Only because it is basically public knowledge that everyone who files will get something. Debt collectors are out of control. I get calls daily for a person who does not live in my house. I tell them that and they call again in 20 minutes. I tell them you have reached the “Smith” household. If you don’t believe me, look it up in the phone book. Still they call. And this has been going on for like 5-6 YEARS. They are a scourge on society. The next time they call and I hear a foreign voice on the answering machine, maybe I will pick up the phone and teach them some good old American XXX language !! Thank God for Caller ID. But I should NOT have to check who is calling before I can pick up my phone when the calls are NOT for ME. Debt collectors are stupid mean spirited people to begin with when they cannot get a phone number correct and then try to accuse me of something that I have nothing to do with and this will just make it worse.