A collection agency in Florida is seeking to start a new movement, using the hashtag #DebtCollectorsCareToo to show the general public that collectors should not be feared and their calls ignored, but that the people on the other end of the phone are here to help.
Melissa Nash, who is president and chief executive of ARI Business Solutions in West Palm Beach, Fla., and a former president of the Florida Collectors Association, launched the video series last week.
“If your phone is ringing about a debt, the person calling has options for you,” Nash says in the video. “Don’t be afraid. You have total control when you say ‘Hello’ and let them help you.
“Answer the call. Say ‘Hello.’ We really are here to help.”
Videos will be posted in English, Spanish, and Creole, according to a published report about the campaign.
Consumers are hearing messages from their banks and credit card companies about how they are willing to work with consumers, Nash said, and debt collectors need to get that message out, too.
“If you just communicate we’re in this with you, we’re going to help you defer the payment. If there is a legal process we can help you pause the process, stop the process,” said Nash in the report.
[EDITOR’S NOTE: For anyone who might be interested in producing these kinds of videos, but are unsure how to do it, email me and I will be happy to help write your script and record and edit your video.]
Thank you! Please lets all use #DebtCollectorsCareToo and lets make sure America knows we are all in this together.