Debt collectors, as the designation suggests, are individuals who follow up with clients who have not paid their outstanding dues.
They are hired by organizations that are dedicated to handling debt collection work, or be part of the debt collection department of a business, depending on their specific job standing. The work of a debt collector is challenging to say the least and requires much in terms of aggressive follow-up.
To work as a debt collector, there really is only one extremely important trait – perseverance. Since most of the time when you call a customer to provide him with information on his defaulted payments, you will be given great sob stories and excuses. It is up to you to keep your emotions on the track and make sure that you do not fall for them.
Duties and Responsibilities to Add in the Experience Section of a Debt Collector Resume
• Examine lists of defaulted accounts and determine how much is owed to the company
• Pull customers’ information from the database and devise the best possible ways to contact them
• Organize defaulters’ list according to the severity of the delinquency
• Locate clients through background checks, credit bureau information, and other publically available databases
• Contact clients over the telephone and through emails and provide them with information on outstanding amounts
• Carefully listen to and record information/excuses provided by clients about why they have fallen behind on their payments
• Inform clients of overdue accounts and provide exact figures that need to be paid
• Respond to queries regarding easy payment plans and provide them information according to what company policies declare
• Provide clients with information on how to pay through installments
• Take and record income and expenses information and devise repayment plans according to each client’s ability to pay back
• Have clients sign new agreements to ensure that payback is handled in an error-free and smooth manner
• Contact clients to coordinate check pick-ups and/or online payments to delinquent accounts
• Send receipts of payments to clients through the mail or electronically
• Ensure that any client who has refused to pay outstanding bills is made part of the company blacklist and that appropriate legal measures are taken to handle the situation