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No one likes debt collectors, even some debt collectors.

The very reason for this occupation is that someone doesn’t want to pay what they owe, or can’t pay, which necessitates sending someone to remind them.

Yes, abuses in this process over the years can lead some to automatically think of Guido and other goons threatening to break body parts if payment isn’t made pronto, but actually the industry has taken steps to become more user-friendly to avoid perceptions of harassment. Tools like a mobile text can encourage people to work positively with their creditors rather than terrifying them.

There are now firm rules on what times of the day collection efforts can be made (before 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. are out of bounds), and what collection agents can and can’t say – they are allowed to say ‘arrangements need to be made soon’ but can’t threaten to take someone to jail if they don’t pay now.

Interestingly, the modern collection agent has a new tool that’s proving useful: the mobile text. This can be an effective way to make contact with someone who owes money, have a hopefully useful, brief conversation while reminding them of their obligations, and maybe even resolve the matter without requiring a personal visit or further contact.

Here’s why it makes sense.

• It’s private and discrete. Most people who are in debt to the point that collections are required are keenly aware of it, but don’t always know what to do. But they don’t necessarily want family members, neighbors or co-workers to know their situation, which is why they may feel embarrassed if a collection agent visits them or calls them. A text, on the other hand, can get their attention without any of the public spectacle.
  
  
• It’s harder to ignore texting. We have a tendency to notice texts right when they come in and respond within 90 seconds, which is a big change from email where it might take at least 90 minutes to read one and even more hours or days to respond to it. It’s also easy not to want to answer the door or the phone or disregard snail mail. It’s equally easy for emails to get lost, forgotten, or overlooked, especially if someone receives dozens or hundreds a day. Knowing that there might be a collection notice within other email also could cause someone to subconsciously not want to see something or believe it’s authentic. Plenty of spam email can include headings saying something similar to “you owe us money,” so often people are quick to ignore messages with this sort of content and wording. However, a text usually would go to the top of someone’s list of recent text activity and should quickly stand out from the routine ones from the people we regularly exchange texts with.
  
  
• Honesty is required. Because of past abuses, people trying to collect via texts must now clearly identify themselves. The Federal Trade Commission said one collector broke the law by claiming in their texts to be an attorney and threatening to sue for non-payment. Rules now require honesty, so if you’re on the receiving end, at least you know that the person is not being deceptive when they tell you who they are and what you owe.
  
  
•  It gets results. Retailers who already connect with their customers via text will find it easy to text them to discuss financial obligations. The customers have received texts from this company before, so are more comfortable having a conversation with them, even with something unpleasant like paying them back.
  
  
• It gives people adequate time to respond. A phone call or a personal visit could catch someone off guard, which may be a good technique for the collection agent who is hoping to catch someone when they’re not expecting this sort of contact. But this type of contact isn’t necessarily fun for the person with the debt who is hopefully trying to figure out how to pay, but may get tongue-tied trying to answer the agent’s questions and figure out their options. However, taking the time to compose a brief text response could let someone acknowledge the situation and find the right words.
  
  
• It can provide a paper trail. If someone wants to challenge a debt or believe they’re being harassed by a collection agent, they’ll have information in their phone texting records about all conversations.  At the same time, the collection agent can also have their own documentation of how many times they sent texts and the tone of them. Whatever you perspective, a text can provide better details about what was discussed rather than trying to remember a phone conversation or in-person visit.
  
  

For more information on how to  use the power of mobile text in collection efforts, visit www.trumpia.com.

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