Many people view dealing with debt collectors in the same light as they do getting a root canal–as an exceedingly unpleasant experience.  They tend to call you at the most inconvenient hours of the day, especially when you’re trying to spend rare quality time with your family.  With that being said, there are certain things you can do to make dealing with debt collectors–if not more pleasant–a more successful endeavor.  If you’re currently dealing with debt collectors, it’s best to avoid the following situations:

1.  Lying.  Don’t do it!  If you’re caught in a lie, it’s possible you could find yourself being sued.  Be truthful in your dealings with debt collectors.  Honesty truly is the best policy here.

2.  Settling without an acknowledgement letter.  Again, don’t do it!  If you pay off the debt, make sure you get an acknowledgement–in writing–from the creditor stating that you’ve paid your debt in full and that the account is now closed.  Don’t just stop here, however.  Check your credit report in a few months to make sure that the credit line in question shows “closed,” “settled,” “paid as agreed,” or something similar.

3.  Not disputing charges quickly.  The moment you discover a charge made against your account that you believe is in error, you should immediately file the appropriate claim.  States typically have specific statute of limitations regarding disputing charges, so you need to act quickly so you don’t lose your legal right to dispute such claims.

4.  Hoping the situation will just go away.  Wrong!  Ignoring past due debt is not going to make it just go away.  For one thing, the collection agency can sue you if they have a legitimate claim against you and you aren’t engaging in communication with them.  If you have a job, they may be able to win the right to garnish your wages.  If you’re just not sure what to do, it’s a good idea to discuss a good bankruptcy attorney to find out what your options are.

5.  Bouncing checks.  This is another huge no-no!  If you bounce checks to the creditor, they’re going to bounce your case directly to their legal department and chances are good you’re soon going to be the not-so-proud owner of a lawsuit.

6.  Letting yourself be bullied.  Do not let any debt collection agent bully you around.  You deserve to be treated with respect (and hopefully you are treating your debt collectors the same way) and you also have the right to find out all available options open to you.  It may be the right time to consult with a reputable bankruptcy attorney.

7.  Letting creditors directly deduct funds from your bank account. Not a good idea!  Don’t give any creditors your checking account number.  You may find yourself in the situation of more than one creditor deducting money at the worst possible time, leaving you in a financial bind until your next paycheck.  Alternatively, this also increases the odds you could fall prey to a scam or unscrupulous person stealing money from your account.

Hopefully, by following these basic guidelines, you will be able to have better dealings with your debt collectors.  Keep in mind that you always have the option of contacting a bankruptcy attorney to find out whether filing for bankruptcy protection is a good option for you.