I spent the past week in New Orleans at a financial bloggers conference. Yes, we have a conference and it’s awesome!
Like most conferences it was a wonderful opportunity to meet up with like-minded individuals, learn new skills, strategies, and to create a plan for my next year of blogging.
For the past couple of years I have written about my financial journey, reflected on money in general, and also sharing information about other people who are in various stages of financial recovery. Because when you’re on this journey of debt repayment it’s almost like being a drug addict, you’re in recovery.
I was already feeling a bit agitated because I had received a call from work about an issue that I didn’t need to be called about that ended up getting blown out of proportion for what it was. But, I digress. I sit down and begin to shiver as the rooms in New Orleans are all air conditioned to the point of mimicking a subarctic chill.
The session I’m in is a screening of “Broken eggs” a documentary that takes a very intense look at the issue of retirement preparedness in the United States.
The light on my phone flashes and I don’t recognize the number. I think it’s strange and answer it despite my general rule NEVER to answer numbers I don’t recognize.
I am then told the following: That I was being called about a bill from 2007 and that there was a possibility of being served in order to pay that bill. What the?! The thing is, I haven’t received a debt collection call in so long that the memories of dealing with this kind of thing were kind of dusty.
It’s A Debt Collector Call
I then ask the following question: “Could you provide proof that I owe this bill?” The guy then gets angry with me says again “You’ll get it when you’re served!” and then hangs up on me.
Huh.
Now a couple of things aren’t lost on me. The fact that I’ve spent years working on my debt and cleaning up and organizing my financial life. At this moment, I am the most organized financially that I’ve been in my entire adult life. And, that I’m at a conference surrounded by people who have tasked themselves with having a great financially life and helping others to achieve that reality too.
I have worked hard to keep bills paid early, paid off credit cards, cut down on all unnecessary spending, and cut down on my monthly expenses. I side hustle and am making the dollars rain.
And this guy thinks he can intimidate me?! Step off dude, because I now know what I’m doing and I can no longer be intimidated.
In the past I would have been so frightened and upset. Right now I’m just bemused and to a certain extent amused.
I have a Plan A, Plan B, and a Plan C.
I walk back into my session, compose myself (and am still irritated by the work call) and listen to the rest of my session.
Things have come full circle. The difference is I am now in control and have the resources to deal with the situation.
As all of us deal with debt management, savings, and wrapping our heads around the complexity of our money situations remember to stay in control of your situation-EVEN if it feels like that’s not possible. Do not react in fear. You will lose your objectivity about the situation and won’t be able to identify the options that are available to you-often more than you may realize.
So, I’m not sure what will happen but I’m not worried about it.
I have a plan.
Have you had an awkward debt situation happen when you thought you had everything under control? What did you do about it? How did you react?
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Seems fishy to me? If you are checking your credit report, seems like something from 2007 would be on there. Am I wrong?
I have had (unfortunately) a lot of experience with debt collectors. That is a very common intimidation tactic. They want to keep the person that they are collecting from on edge and afraid so tha they are too frightened to react calmly to the situation.I’ve gone a number of rounds in that “boxing ring” so I know what they do. After 7 years in the state I live in (and most states) the bill is no longer owed. So, you are then presented with an interesting dilemma-pay the bill and reset the clock on your debt and have a huge ding on your credit report or write a letter to contest the validity of the bill and bring up the 7 year issue. I also won’t be embarrassed if I get served (won’t like it) because if it happens at work I’ve worked with my colleagues for 11 years they are pretty chill about EVERYTHING. Then, I would literally go for a hike.
Wow, that came call came totally out of nowhere for you I’m sure! It’s great that you didn’t let it distract you from the conference and that you are feeling empowered at this point to deal with it head on. That’s what financial growth and learning does for all of us! Go get’em Michelle 🙂
It kind of sucked! But, I’m in a pretty good frame of mind and I know what they are up to and what their tricks are. Since I am organized, have resources, and know how to deal with these people-I’m good. I haven’t had a call like that in so long it was both a reinforcement and a wake up call about the importance of all of the steps that I’ve taken to manage my financial health. It made what I’m doing by sharing my story and other people’s stories about debt even more important and urgent.
How annoying and what a jerk! But you’ve got plans (or several plans) so you’ll be just fine and you’ve got a ton of other people that are supporting you. 🙂
It was very annoying because I was already annoyed about something else! I did feel super empowered and a little bit of a bad a@@ because I have people in my corner and I know what to do in a situation like this one.
Wow, strange timing. I agree, you are cool, calm and prepared to deal with whatever.
All things happen for a reason (at least that’s what I’m telling myself). You just can’t freak out in a moment like this or they get they get the upper hand.
How bizarre is that and from 2007? That’s just very odd to have someone calling after such a long period of time has gone by. I wouldn’t worry about it…sounds like you’ve grabbed the bull by the horns and you’ll be armed and ready when they try again. Stick to the plan 🙂
Yep, allegedly from 2007. We shall see what happens. Will keep you posted!
Oh, that was annoying, the debt came from 2007? Or maybe, hopefully that debt collector was just wrong?
What happens in the U.S. with debt is it can be sold to a third party many years after it has been off the books. However, given where I live if I owe this alleged debt I can argue that it has been over 7 years-I don’t have pay it in that case. Will see what happens.
Wow that’s super bizarre. It’s good that you could react so calmly though and are able to just wait to see what the facts are, rather than just reaction to the emotion.
When I was really having debt problems many years ago I was constantly freaked out and overwhelmed which really inhibited my ability to step away from the situation and look at the big picture. At this point I will see if I owe the alleged debt (there is a reason why I am framing it this way) and then go from there. Since the guy hung up on me there is really nothing I can do about it now.
Hopefully this is all a misunderstanding, or perhaps it’s a scam? It seems very strange to come out of the blue like that. Anyway, I know you’ll deal with it if something comes of it!
Debt collectors in the U.S. purchase old debts. So, there is the potential that this might have been a discharged debt purchased for pennies on the dollar and now they are trying to collect. Since the person hung up on me when I asked for proof of owing the debt it’s hard for me to gage what’s going on. At this point I don’t feel that I owe this as they need to provide proof. I also have a digital record (this blog post) to submit to the judge if it comes down to that. I consider this an unfounded inquiry and that there is allegedly a debt that I owe.
Great that you’ve taken a once-frightening situation and empowered yourself to fight back and then shrug off the worry. Probably means you can tackle anything. 😉
It was weird because I just didn’t even get upset about it. I just went into a weird super analytical state of mind and asked for proof. Now that I am informed and have an understanding of collection laws and my rights I know what I should do!
That GIF at the end said it all! You might not even have to pay that bad boy back if the statute of limitations has expired. Glad that you’re armed enough now to handle that phone call.
I consider this an alleged debt until I receive proof that the bill is owed. Until then, the GIF says it all.
You seemed very awesome and calm and cool and collected the whole time at FinCon! I don’t think I could have kept so chill outwardly!
I just wasn’t going to let them steal this moment from me. I was meeting amazing people, broadening my mind, and growing on a deep level. I don’t feel like a victim anymore so I feel super empowered in situations such as this one.