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Collection agency calling my phone
markrr23
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So today at work my cellphone rang twice. Both times, it didn't ring until after I had officially missed the call. Anyway, the number didn't look familiar so, just for curiosity's sake, I did a reverse phone search on it. It turns out the number is for Arrow Financial, a collection agency. Now, I don't have any debt other than my credit cards, and I don't see any other reason for these folks to be calling me. They didn't leave a message on my voicemail either time.
Should I be worried by this, or do you think it's just a wrong number? Could it be identity theft rearing its ugly head? I did check my credit reports (since you can do it free once per year) and they were A-OK, and I haven't noticed any suspicious activity with my credit cards or bank account.
The only reason I'm concerned in the least is because they called twice. I'm the kind of person that likes to know why stuff happens, so even though this is likely nothing it's still bothering me a little bit.
Anyway, your thoughts are much appreciated!
Should I be worried by this, or do you think it's just a wrong number? Could it be identity theft rearing its ugly head? I did check my credit reports (since you can do it free once per year) and they were A-OK, and I haven't noticed any suspicious activity with my credit cards or bank account.
The only reason I'm concerned in the least is because they called twice. I'm the kind of person that likes to know why stuff happens, so even though this is likely nothing it's still bothering me a little bit.
Anyway, your thoughts are much appreciated!
"Just so we're clear, you report this conversation and you'll never wear a hat again."
markrr23 on
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One way to find out for sure!
It could be something as simple as the agency using an out-of-date phone directory, or old information, or simply wrong information. Maybe the debtor wrote down the wrong # on purpose.
Collection agencies aren't scary, especially if you know you're on top of your finances.
Most likely it's a cold call/computer dialed call for a "Get out of debt now" scheme, especially if they didn't leave a message. If a person is looking for a person, they'll leave a message.
I figured as much, but I'm naturally paranoid for some reason. Thanks for chiming in.
Could be someone at the company calling someone on their lunchbreak. Same issue.
Rarely does a company resort to a collection agency first -- they usually send something via mail, and THEN to collections. Far cheaper to send letters than pay collections.
Collection agencies are the worst beauracracies (sp?) you'll ever see. The left hand never knows what the right is doing and the paperwork piles up. It'll be months to a year before they can report you to a credit bureau, if they even bother. Once paperwork piles up to a certain extent, they only worry about the largest debts because they have to pay employees and for mailing/phone costs and to file any legal document. In the event that they are serious about collecting, they may end up writing most of the balance off if you'll just make a minimum payment. Collection agencies are last resort departments and companies.
Also, they usually tend to mail something out before they start calling. If the letter is returned, they will start researching the address and phone numbers using online reference tools like the US post office, cell phone look up, whitepages.com, etc... Even these records can take up to 3 months to update. They most likely are looking for you, or you may be listed as someone's reference.
There's no point in worrying until you have the facts.
P.S. Don't hate me, I did a collections stint for XM Radio.