The FTC has released the 2009 top consumer complaints list and debt collection agencies came in second, usually it is the number one complaint. This year, number one was identity theft. In reviewing the individual states complaints list, "internet providers" consistently came in first or second. I have also included the link to the FTC report if you have a few minutes to read about consumer behavior, remember, these folks took the time to actually make a report.
Rank Category No. of Complaints Percentages
1 Identity Theft 278,078 21%
2 Third Party and Creditor Debt Collection 119,549 9%
3 Internet Services 83,067 6%
4 Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales 74,581 6%
5 Foreign Money Offers and Counterfeit Check Scams 61,736 5%
6 Internet Auction 57,821 4%
7 Credit Cards 45,203 3%
8 Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries 41,763 3%
9 Advance-Fee Loans and Credit Protection/Repair 41,448 3%
10 Banks and Lenders 32,443 2%
11 Credit Bureaus, Information Furnishers and Report Users 31,629 2%
12 Television and Electronic Media 26,568 2%
13 Health Care 25,414 2%
14 Business Opportunities, Employment Agencies and Work-at-Home Plans 22,896 2%
15 Computer Equipment and Software 22,621 2%
A complete list of complaints can be found at: http://bit.ly/cBRiLT
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Famous people get turned over for collections too!
I've been in the collections business since 1989 and over the years have seen well known and famous actors, radio personalities, newspaper columnists, politicians & business people placed for collection for a past due bill. Because of legal and privacy reasons, I am unable to disclose any names but would not anyway for ethical reasons. These people are not deadbeats any more than the average consumer is a dead beat.
Only a small percentage of people placed for collections incur debt without intending to pay it back. Most of the bills are unpaid due to a dispute with the bill or because of personal circumstances such as job loss or divorce.
The vast majority of the famous and well known could not have been nicer, pleasant and professional in their conversations about the debt. I can only recall one actor who was very vulgar and unpleasant.
Every day is an interesting day at a collection agency.
Only a small percentage of people placed for collections incur debt without intending to pay it back. Most of the bills are unpaid due to a dispute with the bill or because of personal circumstances such as job loss or divorce.
The vast majority of the famous and well known could not have been nicer, pleasant and professional in their conversations about the debt. I can only recall one actor who was very vulgar and unpleasant.
Every day is an interesting day at a collection agency.
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