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majik_6 · 05-18-2006, 02:06 PM

It's highly possible that the company has a policy similar to the agency I used to work for.

Basically, we weren't allowed to divulge any information at all regarding the debt or the matter of the call until we verified that we were talking to the debtor or their legal spouse (but even that wasn't allowed in MA and only sometimes in PA). We could give our name, if they specifically asked the name of the company we could say, and if asked why we were calling only that it was a "personal business matter". It was aparently a legal matter that basically stated that it was a huge violation of their privacy (and the FDCPA) to state that they were in collections or had a debt until we had confirmed their identity (we had to confirm their name and address) and let them know that the call was "an attempt to collect a debt, and that all information obtained would be used for that purpose and that purpose only." If we skipped those steps, or failed to give that "disclaimer" verbatim we could be written up, fired, or even held legally liable.

I'd recommend that if they ask for you by name that you confirm it, though I wouldn't advocate giving out any info that's too sensitive (SSN for example), then ask them what company they work for nicely. I knew several collections agents that were MUCH more likely to follow protocol and answer questions when asked nicely, as they dealt with so many rude people in a shift (not saying that you're being rude, just letting you know how it sometimes works on the other end of the line). Don't be suprised if they can't discuss much with you at ALL until they've confirmed that it is, indeed, who they're looking for.

That job may be the best paying one they can get (in my part of WV it pays several dollars above the minimum wage, and offers health insurance, which is kind of rare here), and they're probably not going to risk losing it by accidently discussing information with the wrong person or by not following the company's legal disclaimers and such.

Hope you get it worked out.

05-18-2006, 02:06 PM	#15 (permalink)
majik_6 narcissist Location: looking in a mirror	It's highly possible that the company has a policy similar to the agency I used to work for. Basically, we weren't allowed to divulge any information at all regarding the debt or the matter of the call until we verified that we were talking to the debtor or their legal spouse (but even that wasn't allowed in MA and only sometimes in PA). We could give our name, if they specifically asked the name of the company we could say, and if asked why we were calling only that it was a "personal business matter". It was aparently a legal matter that basically stated that it was a huge violation of their privacy (and the FDCPA) to state that they were in collections or had a debt until we had confirmed their identity (we had to confirm their name and address) and let them know that the call was "an attempt to collect a debt, and that all information obtained would be used for that purpose and that purpose only." If we skipped those steps, or failed to give that "disclaimer" verbatim we could be written up, fired, or even held legally liable. I'd recommend that if they ask for you by name that you confirm it, though I wouldn't advocate giving out any info that's too sensitive (SSN for example), then ask them what company they work for nicely. I knew several collections agents that were MUCH more likely to follow protocol and answer questions when asked nicely, as they dealt with so many rude people in a shift (not saying that you're being rude, just letting you know how it sometimes works on the other end of the line). Don't be suprised if they can't discuss much with you at ALL until they've confirmed that it is, indeed, who they're looking for. That job may be the best paying one they can get (in my part of WV it pays several dollars above the minimum wage, and offers health insurance, which is kind of rare here), and they're probably not going to risk losing it by accidently discussing information with the wrong person or by not following the company's legal disclaimers and such. Hope you get it worked out. __________________ it's all about self-indulgence