How to handle debt collection calls for a former employee?

manpreet Best Answer 2 years ago

In January 2014 I began receiving debt collection calls for an employee who was formerly one of my direct reports. Not wanting to get into a conundrum with HR (which is very easy to do with this company), each time I received a call, I simply stated that they had the wrong number and resolved not to become involved.

After around 9 months of these calls, I did ask an HR specialist how I should handle it. She agreed with me that it would not be proper protocol for me to contact this person as they no longer worked for me and that it wouldn't be proper for me to contact their supervisor as it was personal and confidential information. In the end, she gave me no help and I was right where I started.

After a couple more months of almost daily calls I started explaining the situation to the callers - not in so much detail - just that it was a person who had worked for me in the past and that I had never had any type of personal relationship with them. (Not sure why he used my number anyway.) Each time I was told that my number would be removed.

Here we are, April 2015, and I'm still receiving calls almost every day. Does anyone have any idea of how I can resolve this without creating more problems for myself?

manpreet 2 years ago

Does anyone have any idea of how I can resolve this without creating more problems for myself?

I'm so sorry you have to deal with debt collectors.

Find the address for the company and send a certified letter indicating this is not your debt and to cease contact. See here for some suggestions on how to do this. Keep a copy for your records.

You probably know all the information at this point about the supposed debt, so you can easily write this letter.

Once it's confirmed delivered, keep detailed notes of every additional attempt by them to reach you. Include agent name, time, phone number, etc.

When they contact you after this (and they probably will since most debt collection agencies are... well they keep calling you in spite of you being the wrong person draw your own conclusions about their ability to conduct business well), in no uncertain terms:

• Request to speak with their supervisor
• Inform them they are in violation of federal law
• Inform them they are willingly participating in harassment
• Any additional attempt to contact you about the debt will result in legal action
• You have documented the violations in detail and will continue to do so

If this happens again, there are plenty of lawyers and services who are more than willing to aid you in a bullet proof case against debt collection agencies (including the government).