Thinking 8 Ways out of your Debt Trouble, or How to Handle Collectors’ Requests

In reality, communication with collectors is a more delicate process than it might seem. There are nuances that you, as a consumer, may not be aware of. Missing those, sometimes, you’re risking falling into the collectors’ trap, for example, paying the debt that you actually don’t owe. This, in turn, stimulates the demand for online debt negotiation software that guarantees the transparency of debt collections for both parties. However, you still need to know your legal rights and even some tricks to become a winner in even the worst situation.

Today, we collected 8 ways to communicate with collectors. We selected the most controversial situations that may appear at some point in the communication, so you can readily use these tips described below if one of the following applies to your case.

Play Over the Collector! 8 Effective Tips to Close your Debt

1. Is There a Validation Notice?

Before the actual moment of the first contact, a collector must send you a written validation notice that specifies the amount owed. If you haven’t received that document yet the collector contacted you, you may not answer their request or say you won’t answer until the notice is sent.

Once you have the notice, within 30 days, you may ask them to verify it, especially if you doubt the specified debt amount is correct. Upon verification, they must provide you with the info on the original creditor and the debt’s age. Unless you have that info, the collector can’t pursue any legal action regarding your debt against you.

2. Have Doubts? Dispute!

Again, you can request verification within 30 days from the moment of receiving the validation notice. However, if you doubt the defined amount of debt or don’t believe you owe it at all, you can dispute it rather than ask for verification. Mind that when you dispute your debt, the collector can’t sue you as well as execute any other legal action against you — until your debt is verified and explicitly confirmed to you. At the time of the dispute, the collector must report to the appropriate credit bureau that the account is disputed.

3. Tired of Collection Reminders? Then Request to Stop Them!

Remember that under any circumstances, you have the right to request the collector to stop contacting you if you wish not to. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), you can write a cease-and-desist letter confirming that the collector can no longer contact you.

So, what are the circumstances that allow you to write cease and desist? For example, if you feel pressured for a debt that is not actually yours or you think you don’t need to pay. However, you don’t need to explain the reasons to the collector; FDCPA allows you to request them to stop without any explanation. But be aware that in this case, all the collector is left to do is to act legally by suing you in court.

4. Check your Statute of Limitations

Collectors can’t write to you endlessly. They have a specific period of time when they can contact you and initiate legal action against you. In legal terms, this is called the “statute of limitations,” and its duration varies by state.

When the debt is out of that period, the collector can no longer sue you. In this case, you can write the cease and desist letter to put an end to their debt reminders.

5. Nobody’s Canceled Complaints

Sometimes, collectors in their effort to collect the debt may even harass you, which is by no means appropriate. If this is the case, then it’s time to file a complaint. Legally, you can do it through CFPB.

Yet, harassment is not the only cause to file complaints. The collector may mistakenly contact you, confusing you for someone else, or remind you of the debt that you’ve already paid. In both these cases, filing a complaint with CFPB is also a resolution.

6. Your Health Insurance Covers you

Medical bills have the largest share of all debts in the US. Yet, before starting negotiating those with the collector, you need to make sure your insurance covers them. Instead, contact your insurance provider so they can check it.

The coverage issue is particularly important in cases with gap insurance. If you have one, then you also need to check that the entire procedure or at least part of it that wasn’t covered by the primary insurance is covered by the gap. That is, if the insurance covers a medical bill that previously went to collections, the corresponding collection account can be excluded from your credit report, which means you won’t have to wait seven years to have a good credit rating.

7. Go to the Heart of your Debt Issue; Contact the Original Creditor

If at some point you find that the original creditor still owes your debt, there’s no legal obligation for you to talk with the collector. Better, you should not as you can spend time more effectively by contacting the original owner so you could both work out how to settle the debt. This solution works for credit cards, service bills, and medical bills. However, remember that you are not responsible for any payment operations unless the original owner approves it.

8. Enlist Legal Help to Get Ready for the Collector’s Legal Action

If the collector initiates legal action against you, it’s a red alert for you to hire legal counsel. However, you may not afford a lawyer at the moment, but luckily, there are legal aid societies across the US that may provide you with pro bono services.

However, you can countersuit the collector; for example, you can do it in the case of harassment or violation of FDCPA when they are continuing to contact you regardless of the written cease and desist, or the case when they even scare and humiliate you.

You can ignore the collector, but you can’t ignore court orders. If the court summons you to appear, and you don’t, the collector will win the deficiency judgment against you.

The Final Tip: Don’t Hasten to Pay

After considering all these tips we brought in the article, you may think that it’s better and much faster to pay the collector. Sure, you can do it, but before paying, make sure you do it right.

First, check the debt violation letter the collector sent you to make sure they truly own the debt. Next, check your credit records; after all, you might have already paid the debt, just forgot about it. Only then you should consider your current budget to assess if you can afford to pay the debt in full (if you indeed still owe it), or if you need to pay in installments.

After you deal with all the preparations, it’s time to start negotiating your debt with the collector. However, it’s better to negotiate through writing rather than over the phone since written agreements are a reliable guarantee and proof of your debt obligations rather than verbal deals. In this way, you should receive a signed agreement, and only then can you consider paying. Mind that if the debt is not owed by the collector, it is the original creditor whose obligation is to sign any related agreement.

Remember that closing the debt doesn’t mean it will be immediately removed from your credit report; you still have to wait seven years from the moment of the first delinquency.

Digital Payment Trends In 2022

In today’s world, the buyer can be provided with almost anything that is needed, from door to door immediately. You can choose food or medicines online, and they will also be brought to your doorstep. What awaits us in the future, and how will the upcoming payment technological processes affect the previously existing entrepreneurial modifications? Let’s see specific changes in the perspective of payments.

The progress in digital change and our understanding of daily transactions will have a massive impact on businesses and individuals in the absolutely entire society. Average personal everyday Internet use has increased to more than 403 minutes per day. This means that you spend at least six hours browsing, buying, or interacting with content online.

In addition, it means that you save a numerical imprint wherever you go. The nuances of security in the network today are one of the most important topics, especially in the relationship of digital payments.

Convenience often comes at a price, but not all current and future digital payment trends are ominous. Digital payments also have several positive aspects. Buyers are promised:

• More accessible services;
• Reducing dependence on cash;
• High transmission speed;
• Higher payment security;
• More convenience for customers.

Mobile Commerce

Exchange mob. Commerce (mCommerce) is growing 24 hours a day. There are more than 5 billion original mobile users in the entire society, which means that almost 70 percent of the planet’s inhabitants use mobile phones.

Exchange mob. Commerce, which attracts almost 90 million new users every year, is considered the main course of work for many companies. Business websites are more often made mobile-friendly otherwise, they may be penalized by Google. The general user skill is often shaped in such a way to manage mobile users better, but not desktop users. In general, for ten years, this has not been.
AI & ML In Payment Technology

In addition, with the introduction of the latest technologies into equality, the approach of security increases. In part, this is associated with AI, also ML.

AI and ML can greatly help detect fraud, automate actions, and increase strength due to their ability to explore large amounts of information.

The creation of small biometric scanners, AI recognition technology processes and other similar concepts allows users to be the ones who control the entire transaction. However, the rapid changes do not freeze in the conquered.

Cryptocurrencies and blockchain

2022 will be the year of the cryptocurrency, Steen Jacobsen, Chief Economist and Chief Investment Officer of Saxo Bank, told a press conference. According to them, now this market is only in the initial phase of its development – it will grow as it evolves and the popularity and penetration of cryptocurrencies increases. “The crypto market cannot be ignored,” the expert believes.

The new generation of cryptocurrencies, according to Steen Jacobsen, will receive a whole range of valuable features:

• it will be accepted by central banks, traditional banks, and financial institutions;
• it will comply with the ESG agenda, that is, use cleaner energy sources for mining;
• using the NFT tool will diversify earning opportunities;
• the crypt will be used for smart contracts, certification of legal documents, elections, taxation, etc., and will eventually receive government use.

At the same time, the crypto market will grow, prices for cryptocurrencies will become higher than now, simply because the allocation of assets in this area is expected to be larger, and the level of acceptance by the main market will also be higher.

Now the crypto market is similar to the Nokia-clamshell at the dawn of the development of smartphones. Imagine when cryptocurrencies reach the level of the iPhone. It will be a completely different story; then, there will be many more direct ways to use cryptocurrencies – directly beneficial for the economy.

You don’t have to Google the latest technology. The right software partner may be exactly what you need to stay on budget and make the changes you need. With years of experience in the fintech industry, Geniusee can help you design your future payment solutions – https://bit.ly/3A9dSPn

If you’ve ever booked an Uber, you certainly came across the latest “invisible” payments. One of the main nuances of expanding this direction is the current infrastructure that provides inexpensive and durable broadband Internet sputtering. Certain states did not receive the required technological processes in any way. However, they accepted the promises according to the way out to ensure access to a reliable and relatively common business method.

The key features of these payments are that they are seamless and invisible:

• The transaction starts automatically after the maintenance is completed.
• The technology does not require direct contact between the client and the service provider.
• Purchases can be made without leaving the application and without entering card details.

Traditional banks are catching up with this race, allowing their own customers to use special payment offers with a significant speed of response.

Generally, not having to take additional steps or exit the app while making a purchase improves usability, which is not the only example. However, while this emerging market provides a great user experience, this payment system is only successful if the consumer trusts the security, structure, and transparency of all parties involved in the process.

What Is Covered By IT Support?

Information technology (IT) forms an integral part of the business world. It involves the use of computing systems or automated tools to streamline processes. As a result, any company leveraging the power of IT will experience an increase in productivity. It’s also one of the best ways to save money, time, and other resources. You also need to follow suit to promote the growth of your enterprise. However, you must work with professionals.

You can consider employing permanent internal workers to help manage your business’s IT infrastructure. However, that decision can cost you a lot of money in the long run. For instance, permanent employees will require monthly salaries and allowances. That’ll increase your wage bill.  You also need to note that internal employees will barely monitor your business systems 24/7. At some point, they’ll need to rest and re-energize their bodies.

For those reasons, you can consider entrusting all your business-computing-related tasks to a professional IT company. Doing so helps eliminate the need to employ a whole internal IT team, thus, helping you save money. Besides, the tech organization hired will continuously offer IT services regardless of the time of the day.

An outsourced IT support company will offer various services, which include the following:  

• Data Security

Collecting customers’ data is necessary to run your business effectively. It allows you to have a deep understanding of your prospective and existing audiences. As a result, you can make wise and strategic decisions for your enterprise.

While that’s the case, gathering and storing customers’ information increases the chances of your business becoming a target of online attackers. And, if you aren’t careful, you’ll lose essential information to cybercriminals. Therefore, enhancing data security is crucial. For that reason, the hired IT support firm should offer topnotch data security services. Simply put, it should implement effective measures to help protect your company against cyberattacks.

Your IT support partner can implement various strategies to boost your company’s data security. These include file encryption, data backup, network monitoring, password management, anti-virus software installation, etc.

• Web Design And Development

Are you still running a brick-and-mortar store?  If yes, you should consider taking your business online. One of the best ways to achieve that is by creating a business website.

A website is a digital medium with many pages that share a single domain name and can be a game-changer for your company’s sales. For instance, it helps increase the visibility of your brand. Besides, a website enables you to connect and engage with customers continuously. That goes a long way in boosting the growth of your firm.

Indeed, a website can have a significant effect on your business’s bottom line. However, developing one isn’t always easy. That’s true for anyone who isn’t an expert in that field.

As a business owner, you’re probably a trained manager, but you may lack the proper skills to build a website. And, even if you can, you may lack adequate time to do the work. But, all isn’t lost. Most IT support companies offer web design and development services. And, hiring one may help build a comprehensive website to enable your business to stand out from the competition.  

• Software Services

Installing various types of software helps automate or simplify tasks. As a result, your workers will complete tasks faster than when dealing with manual processes.

Creating software isn’t always a walk in the park. For that reason, you should leave the work to professionals, particularly IT support companies.

The IT support company you’ll hire will ensure you install the right software for your business. It’ll also keep updating the various types of software to protect your business against online attackers. Besides, the service provider will ensure that your software licenses are always up to date. That helps avoid hefty fines and penalties from the state.  

• Remote Services 

Another essential task covered by IT support companies is remote services. These involve the delivery of IT services remotely. In other words, the IT technician won’t need to come to your physical business premises to solve some issues. They can do it from a different location using the Internet.

Using automated tools can promote the efficiency of your company. However, such tools are prone to technical glitches. And, when these things happen, it increases downtime in your business organization. That’s why you need to find an IT company with remote services. The outsourced firm will diagnose any issue with your software or automated tools remotely. This helps minimize downtime, boosting your company’s overall production.  

• Computer Hardware Repair 

Sometimes, your computer hardware may malfunction. As a result, you won’t be able to run your company effectively. That may require you to find experts to fix the problem. That’s where the skills of IT support firms come in handy.

Most IT companies offer computer hardware repair services. Therefore, partnering with one can help deal with any hardware issue that requires immediate action. They can also maintain your computer hardware to ensure your business runs smoothly.  

• Employee Education Services

Another critical service covered by IT support companies is employee education. You’d want to educate your workers for various reasons. First of all, technology is evolving at an outstanding rate, which means some tactics and strategies that were effective in the last few months might not be good enough to run your business now. Therefore, you should consider hiring an IT support company to educate your employees in the field of technology. Doing so ensures your firm remains on top of new technologies.

You also need to note that some cybersecurity attacks happen due to workers’ carelessness or lack of knowledge. That said, educating your employees on the best cybersecurity practices would be a good idea. The best way to achieve that is by working with an IT support firm.

Takeaway

As detailed in this article, various tasks are covered by IT support companies. However, not every IT service provider can be suitable for your firm. Research to find the best partner in the market. Some of the most important factors to consider when selecting an IT support service provider include experience, the technology used, availability, quality of services, the effectiveness of communication, and location.

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