Although the majority of bill collectors just like people in other industries are honest and law abiding people, because the nature of their business is constantly dealing with convincing people to pay overdue debt, even collectors that treat you with respect and in a professional manner will be looked upon with suspicion.  

Actually the real issue is not if you should or should not trust a bill collector. The real issues you should be concerned with are:

 How did I do to get in this mess?

 What can I do to fix this situation?   

With that in mind, I tell people that although they should listen to a bill collector, they should listen in a fact finding mode.  In other words you should be prepared to write down or remember what a bill collector is saying. You should also be prepared to politely question or confirm what a bill collector has said if you need clarification. Not only is the time tested words of being quick to hear and slow to speak still appropriate today, but the  old saying that the reason we have two ears and one mouth is to keep us from getting into trouble should be considered also.

One way trust between two people is developed is when they have goals and motivations that they are both trying to achieve. You should to realize that a bill collector’s motivations and goals can be completely opposite yours. While he is looking at you as a means to keep his job, just like you he also wants to develop a comfortable lifestyle. Because of that you should scrutinize what a bill collector says. Let me give you an example. 

You get a call from a bill collector. He tells you that if you want to make monthly payments, you will have to have payments deducted from your checking account. Although you tell him that this would not be good for you because you are not only struggling to make sure that you have enough money to cover your other two automatic payments, you need more flexibility in making your payment each month.

 What you do not realize is that the bill collector’s reason for wanting you to have your payment deducted from your bank account is because his company has a contest set up to reward the collector who gets the most payments that are deducted from people’s bank account that month. When a collector’s goals and motivations are completely opposite yours, it is easy for verbal conflicts to arise. If you relate to what I have said or have experienced the previous situation, I would like to hear form you.