A debt collector is calling: what to say — and what not to
An unknown number, a friendly voice, a balance — and a request to "sort it out today". You do not have to decide anything on the phone. Three sentences are enough.
This page trains the conversation. It is not legal, tax or financial advice; whether a claim is right and what you should pay is for a free debt adviser to check. Preview: not yet reviewed by debt advisers.
A collector works from a file and a script and wants a payment or a firm promise today. That is their job. Yours is a different one: first understand where the debt comes from, then decide — with documents, not under pressure.
The rules on what collectors may and may not do differ between countries, and in the US between states. This page does not cover them. Your local free debt advice service knows them, and asking for the details of a debt is a normal step everywhere.
What you can say
- "I've noted your call. I'm not agreeing to anything on the phone."
- "Please send me the debt in writing: who the original creditor is, what it is for, since when, and how the amount is made up."
- "Please note that I'm checking the claim and have asked for a breakdown."
- "Once I have the documents, I'll get back to you in writing."
- And if you want to stop: "Thank you, I'm ending the call now." You may hang up.
What not to say
- "Yes, I suppose that's right." It sounds harmless, but you are agreeing to something you have not checked.
- A payment you cannot keep up. No promise is better than one that breaks next month.
- Your bank details, your new employer, or a relative's address — not on a call from a number you do not know.
- Long explanations and apologies. You do not owe anyone on the phone a story about why something is unpaid.
In writing
Everything that matters happens in writing: the breakdown, a payment plan, any promise. After each call, note when, who, and what was said. Open the letters, too — if that is hard, open them with someone, a debt adviser included.
Do not pay a debt you have not checked. Whether a claim is right and what you should pay is for a free debt adviser to look at with you.
If the other side says …
- They Can you make a first payment today?
- You Before I pay anything, I need the claim in writing: who the original creditor is, what it's for, since when and how the amount is made up.
- They If you don't pay, the costs will keep rising.
- You Understood. That's exactly why I want the breakdown quickly — please send it to me today.
- They We can sort this out right now on the phone.
- You I only deal with this in writing. Please note that I'm checking the claim.
- They Then we'll take it to court.
- You That's your right. Mine is to see the claim documented first. I'm asking you again for the breakdown.
Free help
Free, confidential debt advice — a local service or a charity — checks the claim with you and knows your rights where you live. In Germany: meine-schulden.de. If you can pay but not all at once: How to ask for a payment plan.
Rehearse the conversation
The edition opens in the practice room with exactly this call: Tuesday, 10:15 am, an unknown number, a friendly, persistent agent who wants a promise today. For your own case: under "Start differently", choose the counterpart "Collection agency / creditor" and the situation "Questioning a claim / proof".