Pass it On

Last week the National Association of Retail Collection Attorneys (NARCA) issued a press release containing insightful tips designed to help consumers “understand the legal collection process and work responsibly to repay debts or exercise their right to present their case to a judge.

In “Tips for Responding to a Collection Attorney,” the following seven tips were included:

1. When you receive a letter or phone call, respond.
2. Keep good records.
3. Be honest about what you can afford.
4. Speak up if the debt is not yours.
5. If you have a lawyer, have them contact the collection attorney.
6. Don’t ignore a summons from court.
7. Be involved – the outcome is in your hands.

The Challenge

Oscar Wilde once said, “The only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on. It is never of any use to oneself.” And your challenge this week is to pass your advice on. Take a moment to read NARCA’s complete press release. Then, take out a piece of paper and a pen and get busy writing your own list of seven tips. In other words, if your company tasked you with writing a similar press release, what advice would you offer to consumers?

We welcome your “tips” in the comments section below.

The Reflection

1. Did your list contain many of the same tips that NARCA provided?
2. Why do you think consumers fail to respond when they receive a call or a letter?
3. In your experience, do consumers generally tell the truth or fudge the numbers when it comes to how much they can honestly pay?

Looking forward to your advice!

Gary Jensen
Editor | collector mentor

To download companion worksheets to use with The collector mentor Challenge™, please visit www.collectormentor.com/thechallenge.

About collector mentor
Published bimonthly, collector mentor is a quick-read publication dedicated entirely to delivering articles and practical advice that teaches credit and collection professionals how to increase collection results, enhance productivity, improve teamwork, and become better stewards of the industry.