Keep good records and follow up.

Always keep a record of your conversations with the collection representatives. Often, when dealing with a recovery department on a settlement, you will be dealing with more than one person. If you are not getting straight answers, be firm and request to speak to the person that makes the decisions. When dealing with creditors always confirm a date by which you can expect a decision and follow up if you don’t get a response by the agreed upon date. If you confirm a decision date in advance, it will not seem as though you are desperate if you call to follow up after the date has passed. In other words, the burden of meeting the deadline is in their hands, which gives you good reason to follow up with them.