The incredible anxiety caused by a debt collection agency phone call is bad for both your mental and physical health. Because of the phone call, you might face intense scrutiny from the entire family for not paying back the original creditor in a timely manner.
However, all is not lost when you receive a phone call from a debt collection agency such as General Revenue Corporation.
On September 20, 1977, the United States Congress enacted the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). The FDCPA grants consumers several legal protections against unethical behavior exhibited by third party debt collectors.
For example, the FDCPA does not allow debt collection agencies to call consumers before 8:00 am and after 9:00 pm. Because of the complexity of the FDCPA, you should contact a licensed consumer protection lawyer to learn how to deal with a phone call made by a representative from a debt collection agency.
What Information Do You Share with General Revenue Corporation?
Expect a representative from General Revenue Corporation to have gone through extensive training for making phone calls to consumers. Polished bill collectors understand most consumers are unprepared to handle rapid fire questions delivered in a logical order.
A debt collection agency representative will refer to a carefully drafted script to keep the phone conversation on topic.
By working with an experienced FDCPA lawyer, you will enter a conversation with a representative from General Revenue Corporation prepared to deal with every question. Your lawyer will explain what questions to answer and what questions you do not have to answer under the FDCPA.
Moreover, your lawyer might recommend sending General Revenue Corporation a cease and desist letter via certified mail to end all forms of communication.
![Phone Script For When General Revenue Corporation Calls*]()
How a Phone Call with a Debt Collection Agency Should Unfold
The opening minute is the key to establishing control over a phone conversation with a representative from General Revenue Corporation. Let’s look at an example on how to conduct yourself at the start of a phone call with a third party debt collector.
- Debt Collector: “Good afternoon, my name is Tom Smith with General Revenue Corporation and I am calling about a debt you owe on a credit card account.”
- You: “Excuse me for a moment while I get a tape recorder.”
When you return, inform the representative from General Revenue Corporation you plan to tape the entire conversation. Recording the phone conversation provides you with evidence of any violations of the FDCPA.
- Debt Collector: “When do you plan to pay off the outstanding credit card balance?”
- You: “I would like you to send me proof the debt is valid.”
At this point, you can end the phone call by explaining that under the FDCPA, you do not have to answer any more questions. If you decide to make arrangements to pay off an outstanding debt, share only your personal information and the terms of a payment plan that matches your monthly budget.
Never agree to a payment plan that over extends you financially.
Speak with an accomplished consumer protection lawyer to learn more about how the FDCPA protects you against unethical debt collection agencies.
Additional Resources
*Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be constructed as legal advice. If you file a claim against General Revenue Corporation or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.