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Well, I removed the section on "How to deal with a collection agency" from the article and formatted it so that it is only visible in the text when editing the page. The problem with this section is that it is written specifically for debtors who are dealing with collection agencies, which makes it unencyclopedic. Encyclopedia entries should always be written for a wide audience, not a specific one. This section may contain some useful facts, but they will need to be formatted and presented differently to be encyclopedic. And finally, I noticed that the article cited no sources, so I added a reference tag at the top. Andrea Parton 14:40, 23 April 2006 (UTC)
I've now rewritten the article and corrected the problems. I reviewed it and removed several statements that have been construed as POV. I researched and added several references. And finally, I reread the article and corrected some parts that may have violated the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia entry.
Since I addressed all of the concerns listed in the tags at the top of the page I have removed said tags. Anyone is of course free to add those tags right back to the top of the page if they feel that I did not successfully address those concerns. I ask only that you read the article before slapping the tags right back up there. If you have any problems with the article please list why on this talk page. I hope to reach a consensus and continue to expand and improve this article. Seanr451 12:14, 11 May 2006 (UTC)
Here is the section that was removed, just incase someone is looking at this page for just this kind of information (The idea fits, I think, but it needed to be worded different and well researched and cited. Gingermint ( talk) 01:28, 2 December 2009 (UTC)
How to deal with a Collection Agency
If contacted by a collection agency there are several steps you can take to simplify what can be an otherwise difficult process. Remember that the Bill Collector that you are talking to is a human being just like you. Ask for proof of the debt. If the agency cannot send you proof of the debt then they must stop all attempt to collect the debt and reverse any adverse information they placed on your credit report. Note that depending on the type of debt proof may not have to consist of a contract with your signature. Pay the debt in full right away. This will save you money, and often this will prevent any adverse information from being placed on your credit report. If unable to pay the debt in full right away, work out a plan that will get it paid off in a reasonable amount of time. Remember that the collection agency often has guidelines from their clients they must follow like a minimum payment amount. Most accounts do have interest being added so the longer it takes to pay off the more money it will cost you. Don't lie. The bill collector you're talking to has often been doing the job for many years, and even if they don't sound like it they have many sources of information. If they find out you're lying they'll be less likely to believe anything you say in the future. If you have something you don't want them to know be honest and simply refuse to give the answer. Note that refusing certain information may mean they are not allowed to work with you to resolve the bill. Try to avoid having the agency sue you. If they sue you not only will interest be added but they are allowed to add legal costs, lawyers fees, and often punitive damages. It costs the agency money to file a lawsuit, and so it will cost you more money. Often a lot more.
So please grow up 65.248.134.166 and quit adding them to the article every single day. -- message was unsigned by User:Seanr451
151.197.71.226 This guy is linking to a page with an audio file that clearly is an advertisement for debt collections. That is not welcome here. Turn on your speakers you won't believe your ears. www.collectionagencyservices.net/ Collection Agencies —The preceding unsigned comment was added by RRSMONDO ( talk • contribs) 17:50, June 30, 2006 (UTC)
This whole article seems to be written from a debt collectors point of view or at the very least it assumes the debtor is in fact a debtor. Sometimes a first party will incorrectly assign a debt. I don't know enough about the internal working of collection agencies to author a section on incorrectly assigned debts, but a section really needs to exist.
On a semi-related note, Blockbuster has twice lost a movie and blamed it on me. Both times they admitted to their mistake but only long after assigning a debt. ~a ( user • talk • contribs) 02:26, 17 May 2006 (UTC)
It does show that you have never worked in a collections agency, the amount of incorrectly assign debts is very minimal, infact for every 10 thousand debts that are assigned to a collections agency, there may be 1 incorrecetly/false debt. This does not take into account fraudulent debts and it would therefore not warrant a section. It is infact the media that spread incorrect statistics/stories about incorrect assignement of debt and therefore would be seen as debtor bias —Preceding unsigned comment added by 58.107.133.4 ( talk) 11:22, 1 September 2007 (UTC)
I found this URL: collectionagencysupport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22&Itemid=32 which was recently added and removed from the "external links" section. It seems to be a verbatim copy of many sections of this article. Except, there is no attribution (see the verbatim section of the GFDL). Does anybody know what should be done? ~a ( user • talk • contribs) 17:29, 6 June 2006 (UTC)
I am sorry, I did not mean that the way it sounded. I meant that their links should be kept out of the article. I was just letting you know that I edited your the link in your comments. I can't answer your question though. It would be good to know where to report it. Did you try the Village Pump? WP:VP Bill 22:13, 7 June 2006 (UTC)
This page is written with bias in favour of debt collection agencies. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 88.109.17.168 ( talk • contribs) .
I like the concept of having a section on collection agencies in the UK (and perhaps other countries too). However, the current section reads like a how-to column on collecting debt. I don't think that's any more appropriate than the how to get out of debt section that was previously deleted. Any objections to removing this info? Kudos to Dlohcierekim for cleaning up some of the advertising that had crept in. - Kubigula ( ave) 20:16, 11 November 2006 (UTC)
Tempest 01:11, 24 January 2007 (UTC)
I'm concerned about one of your points above:
If you're referring to the section I wrote about collection agencies in Canada, you should have noted that I included three references for the information stated. In future, you may want to consider discussing the removal of cited information before deleting it from an article. Especially in an article that is obviously lacking International content. Alan.ca 10:10, 5 February 2007 (UTC)
You need to state the opinions on how bad collection agencies can be, concerning Americans spend more than they make, collections are robbing people blind. We have a serious economy issue and who America is suffering from major inflation rates right now and corporate greed stealing from people.-- 75.6.2.122 ( talk) 05:14, 2 October 2008 (UTC)
The verb "to dun" has the definition "to ask or beset, as a debtor, for payment" in Wicktionary. To "dun" someone or to engage in the process of "dunning" is used I think primarily in Europe. See http://academic.uofs.edu/faculty/gramborw/sap/dunning.htm and the stub Dunning (process). I'm not sure that the process of collecting on debts should in an article entitled "Collection agency", because a collection agency is a business entity, not a process. For now I'll put a See also Collection agency on the stub Dunning, but please consider using Debt Collection as the primary article in Wikipedia. -- SueHay 01:51, 8 April 2007 (UTC)
I've never heard of the term "dunning" before, so I assumed that it was solely a US term. Does anybody know of its use elsewhere? Groogle ( talk) 05:15, 27 August 2008 (UTC)
Have added a new section regarding fraud and abuse by illegitimate debt collectors, which reliable sources show has become notable; being related to debt collection, I think this is appropriate for the article. -- Cornince ( talk) 04:31, 29 November 2009 (UTC)
Furtherly, much of what this small wp:stub says is already covered in the remainder of the article. Sometimes repeatedly. Netsquall ( talk) 17:47, 27 February 2010 (UTC)
Due to lack of active editors reviewing, I have removed the Fraud and Abuse section. Much of what the one sentence it had is already covered in the article in many sections. If someone protests please feel free to make a much more fleshed out section on collection fraud and abusive practices. Netsquall ( talk) 17:54, 27 February 2010 (UTC)
I have found that English Wikipedia does not have an article about enforcement of court decisions in general. For example, in Russian law there are such terms as исполнительное производство (civil court decisions enforcement procedure) and обращение взыскания на имущество (recovery against property, i.e. seizure and sale of the debtor's assets). Are there relevant general English legal concepts? Would it make sence to have a general article about them (rules in different countries, etc.)? Olegwiki ( talk) 13:07, 29 July 2010 (UTC)
I believe this would be a good addition in the American Collections section. Will inform people that they are taking action to change the act and guidelines for collection agencies. Please let me know if you would suggest any changes to this and if you also believe it would be a good contribution to the page.
Across the nation, the states have proposed for stricter consumer protection rules so as to help the debtors struggling with monetary problems. The states have proposed rules to address the collectors’ use of text messages and recorded messages too. By law, the debt collectors cannot use abusive language while communicating through phone or mails. As mentioned, this rule may be extended to text and recorded messages, too. Moreover, the collectors also cannot threaten violence against the debtors.
The State Attorney General of Massachusetts, Martha Coakley, has suggested to revise regulations (which were created in 1970) in order to be at par with the technological development. The proposed amendment also includes that the passive debt buyers or the debt collectors should be classified as creditors, who originally offered the loans. So, the rules that are applicable to the creditors should be applicable to the subsequent buyers, too. [1]
—Preceding unsigned comment added by Trevorhall89 ( talk) 20:46, 14 July 2011 (UTC)
Since 'Debt collection' connects here, the article should surely cover its history? I've created a section, with a stub entry, to get us started. If I've missed a relevant article elsewhere, kindly amend, note here, and provide a link from the text. Onanoff ( talk) 12:22, 30 March 2013 (UTC)
Interesting news: A collection agency has passed a third party data security assessment. "Compliance validation is performed in areas such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, GLBA, Red Flags Rule, ISO 27002, FISMA ( NIST 800-53), Nevada NRS 603a, Massachusetts 201 CMR 17.00, and CFPB Readiness" - I find validated compliance with ISO 27002 and 201 CMR 17.00 to be impressive; few financial entities have passed such assessments. I'd wager that First Collection Services is the only ARM Industry to have done so. Any thoughts on if/how any of this merits mention? -- Elvey ( talk) 19:56, 5 November 2013 (UTC)
The result of the move request was: Move. Cúchullain t/ c 15:42, 4 April 2017 (UTC)
Collection agency →
Debt collection – I think that the primary topic of importance being addressed by this article is the practice of debt collection. The collection agency happens to be the primary type of entity engaged in debt collection, but the rules governing debt collection generally apply to anyone collecting a debt. I would move this page to debt collection, and tweak the lede to make it clear that this article is about that practice, and that the major entities engaged in the practice are collection agencies.
bd2412
T
14:26, 26 March 2017 (UTC)
I propose that Cash collection be merged into Debt collection. I’ve recently taken up trying to improve the article on cash collection, but the more I research it, the more I’m convinced that it’s either just a synonym for debt collection or simply a common type of debt collection with few unique features of its own. Either way, I believe it doesn’t warrant its own article. “Cash collection” is currently a stub, so there shouldn’t be much disruption in a merge. I’m certainly no expert in either topic, though, so I may be mistaken about their congruence. Master Wikinym ( talk) 04:42, 15 January 2024 (UTC)
This article is rated C-class on Wikipedia's
content assessment scale. It is of interest to the following WikiProjects: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Well, I removed the section on "How to deal with a collection agency" from the article and formatted it so that it is only visible in the text when editing the page. The problem with this section is that it is written specifically for debtors who are dealing with collection agencies, which makes it unencyclopedic. Encyclopedia entries should always be written for a wide audience, not a specific one. This section may contain some useful facts, but they will need to be formatted and presented differently to be encyclopedic. And finally, I noticed that the article cited no sources, so I added a reference tag at the top. Andrea Parton 14:40, 23 April 2006 (UTC)
I've now rewritten the article and corrected the problems. I reviewed it and removed several statements that have been construed as POV. I researched and added several references. And finally, I reread the article and corrected some parts that may have violated the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia entry.
Since I addressed all of the concerns listed in the tags at the top of the page I have removed said tags. Anyone is of course free to add those tags right back to the top of the page if they feel that I did not successfully address those concerns. I ask only that you read the article before slapping the tags right back up there. If you have any problems with the article please list why on this talk page. I hope to reach a consensus and continue to expand and improve this article. Seanr451 12:14, 11 May 2006 (UTC)
Here is the section that was removed, just incase someone is looking at this page for just this kind of information (The idea fits, I think, but it needed to be worded different and well researched and cited. Gingermint ( talk) 01:28, 2 December 2009 (UTC)
How to deal with a Collection Agency
If contacted by a collection agency there are several steps you can take to simplify what can be an otherwise difficult process. Remember that the Bill Collector that you are talking to is a human being just like you. Ask for proof of the debt. If the agency cannot send you proof of the debt then they must stop all attempt to collect the debt and reverse any adverse information they placed on your credit report. Note that depending on the type of debt proof may not have to consist of a contract with your signature. Pay the debt in full right away. This will save you money, and often this will prevent any adverse information from being placed on your credit report. If unable to pay the debt in full right away, work out a plan that will get it paid off in a reasonable amount of time. Remember that the collection agency often has guidelines from their clients they must follow like a minimum payment amount. Most accounts do have interest being added so the longer it takes to pay off the more money it will cost you. Don't lie. The bill collector you're talking to has often been doing the job for many years, and even if they don't sound like it they have many sources of information. If they find out you're lying they'll be less likely to believe anything you say in the future. If you have something you don't want them to know be honest and simply refuse to give the answer. Note that refusing certain information may mean they are not allowed to work with you to resolve the bill. Try to avoid having the agency sue you. If they sue you not only will interest be added but they are allowed to add legal costs, lawyers fees, and often punitive damages. It costs the agency money to file a lawsuit, and so it will cost you more money. Often a lot more.
So please grow up 65.248.134.166 and quit adding them to the article every single day. -- message was unsigned by User:Seanr451
151.197.71.226 This guy is linking to a page with an audio file that clearly is an advertisement for debt collections. That is not welcome here. Turn on your speakers you won't believe your ears. www.collectionagencyservices.net/ Collection Agencies —The preceding unsigned comment was added by RRSMONDO ( talk • contribs) 17:50, June 30, 2006 (UTC)
This whole article seems to be written from a debt collectors point of view or at the very least it assumes the debtor is in fact a debtor. Sometimes a first party will incorrectly assign a debt. I don't know enough about the internal working of collection agencies to author a section on incorrectly assigned debts, but a section really needs to exist.
On a semi-related note, Blockbuster has twice lost a movie and blamed it on me. Both times they admitted to their mistake but only long after assigning a debt. ~a ( user • talk • contribs) 02:26, 17 May 2006 (UTC)
It does show that you have never worked in a collections agency, the amount of incorrectly assign debts is very minimal, infact for every 10 thousand debts that are assigned to a collections agency, there may be 1 incorrecetly/false debt. This does not take into account fraudulent debts and it would therefore not warrant a section. It is infact the media that spread incorrect statistics/stories about incorrect assignement of debt and therefore would be seen as debtor bias —Preceding unsigned comment added by 58.107.133.4 ( talk) 11:22, 1 September 2007 (UTC)
I found this URL: collectionagencysupport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22&Itemid=32 which was recently added and removed from the "external links" section. It seems to be a verbatim copy of many sections of this article. Except, there is no attribution (see the verbatim section of the GFDL). Does anybody know what should be done? ~a ( user • talk • contribs) 17:29, 6 June 2006 (UTC)
I am sorry, I did not mean that the way it sounded. I meant that their links should be kept out of the article. I was just letting you know that I edited your the link in your comments. I can't answer your question though. It would be good to know where to report it. Did you try the Village Pump? WP:VP Bill 22:13, 7 June 2006 (UTC)
This page is written with bias in favour of debt collection agencies. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 88.109.17.168 ( talk • contribs) .
I like the concept of having a section on collection agencies in the UK (and perhaps other countries too). However, the current section reads like a how-to column on collecting debt. I don't think that's any more appropriate than the how to get out of debt section that was previously deleted. Any objections to removing this info? Kudos to Dlohcierekim for cleaning up some of the advertising that had crept in. - Kubigula ( ave) 20:16, 11 November 2006 (UTC)
Tempest 01:11, 24 January 2007 (UTC)
I'm concerned about one of your points above:
If you're referring to the section I wrote about collection agencies in Canada, you should have noted that I included three references for the information stated. In future, you may want to consider discussing the removal of cited information before deleting it from an article. Especially in an article that is obviously lacking International content. Alan.ca 10:10, 5 February 2007 (UTC)
You need to state the opinions on how bad collection agencies can be, concerning Americans spend more than they make, collections are robbing people blind. We have a serious economy issue and who America is suffering from major inflation rates right now and corporate greed stealing from people.-- 75.6.2.122 ( talk) 05:14, 2 October 2008 (UTC)
The verb "to dun" has the definition "to ask or beset, as a debtor, for payment" in Wicktionary. To "dun" someone or to engage in the process of "dunning" is used I think primarily in Europe. See http://academic.uofs.edu/faculty/gramborw/sap/dunning.htm and the stub Dunning (process). I'm not sure that the process of collecting on debts should in an article entitled "Collection agency", because a collection agency is a business entity, not a process. For now I'll put a See also Collection agency on the stub Dunning, but please consider using Debt Collection as the primary article in Wikipedia. -- SueHay 01:51, 8 April 2007 (UTC)
I've never heard of the term "dunning" before, so I assumed that it was solely a US term. Does anybody know of its use elsewhere? Groogle ( talk) 05:15, 27 August 2008 (UTC)
Have added a new section regarding fraud and abuse by illegitimate debt collectors, which reliable sources show has become notable; being related to debt collection, I think this is appropriate for the article. -- Cornince ( talk) 04:31, 29 November 2009 (UTC)
Furtherly, much of what this small wp:stub says is already covered in the remainder of the article. Sometimes repeatedly. Netsquall ( talk) 17:47, 27 February 2010 (UTC)
Due to lack of active editors reviewing, I have removed the Fraud and Abuse section. Much of what the one sentence it had is already covered in the article in many sections. If someone protests please feel free to make a much more fleshed out section on collection fraud and abusive practices. Netsquall ( talk) 17:54, 27 February 2010 (UTC)
I have found that English Wikipedia does not have an article about enforcement of court decisions in general. For example, in Russian law there are such terms as исполнительное производство (civil court decisions enforcement procedure) and обращение взыскания на имущество (recovery against property, i.e. seizure and sale of the debtor's assets). Are there relevant general English legal concepts? Would it make sence to have a general article about them (rules in different countries, etc.)? Olegwiki ( talk) 13:07, 29 July 2010 (UTC)
I believe this would be a good addition in the American Collections section. Will inform people that they are taking action to change the act and guidelines for collection agencies. Please let me know if you would suggest any changes to this and if you also believe it would be a good contribution to the page.
Across the nation, the states have proposed for stricter consumer protection rules so as to help the debtors struggling with monetary problems. The states have proposed rules to address the collectors’ use of text messages and recorded messages too. By law, the debt collectors cannot use abusive language while communicating through phone or mails. As mentioned, this rule may be extended to text and recorded messages, too. Moreover, the collectors also cannot threaten violence against the debtors.
The State Attorney General of Massachusetts, Martha Coakley, has suggested to revise regulations (which were created in 1970) in order to be at par with the technological development. The proposed amendment also includes that the passive debt buyers or the debt collectors should be classified as creditors, who originally offered the loans. So, the rules that are applicable to the creditors should be applicable to the subsequent buyers, too. [1]
—Preceding unsigned comment added by Trevorhall89 ( talk) 20:46, 14 July 2011 (UTC)
Since 'Debt collection' connects here, the article should surely cover its history? I've created a section, with a stub entry, to get us started. If I've missed a relevant article elsewhere, kindly amend, note here, and provide a link from the text. Onanoff ( talk) 12:22, 30 March 2013 (UTC)
Interesting news: A collection agency has passed a third party data security assessment. "Compliance validation is performed in areas such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, GLBA, Red Flags Rule, ISO 27002, FISMA ( NIST 800-53), Nevada NRS 603a, Massachusetts 201 CMR 17.00, and CFPB Readiness" - I find validated compliance with ISO 27002 and 201 CMR 17.00 to be impressive; few financial entities have passed such assessments. I'd wager that First Collection Services is the only ARM Industry to have done so. Any thoughts on if/how any of this merits mention? -- Elvey ( talk) 19:56, 5 November 2013 (UTC)
The result of the move request was: Move. Cúchullain t/ c 15:42, 4 April 2017 (UTC)
Collection agency →
Debt collection – I think that the primary topic of importance being addressed by this article is the practice of debt collection. The collection agency happens to be the primary type of entity engaged in debt collection, but the rules governing debt collection generally apply to anyone collecting a debt. I would move this page to debt collection, and tweak the lede to make it clear that this article is about that practice, and that the major entities engaged in the practice are collection agencies.
bd2412
T
14:26, 26 March 2017 (UTC)
I propose that Cash collection be merged into Debt collection. I’ve recently taken up trying to improve the article on cash collection, but the more I research it, the more I’m convinced that it’s either just a synonym for debt collection or simply a common type of debt collection with few unique features of its own. Either way, I believe it doesn’t warrant its own article. “Cash collection” is currently a stub, so there shouldn’t be much disruption in a merge. I’m certainly no expert in either topic, though, so I may be mistaken about their congruence. Master Wikinym ( talk) 04:42, 15 January 2024 (UTC)