They use advanced psychological techniques on you because the law is on your side, not theirs. Here is how to deal with their harassing phone calls by playing your cards right.
Section One: If you don't want to talk to them, ignore them and they WILL go away, if you play your cards right.
1. You Are Under No Obligation to Talk to Them.
They'd like you to think you are, but you are not. They want to get you on the phone, like an abusive spouse, so they can use words to poison your mind and soul. Also like an abusive spouse, this is their only weapon, and they need your co-operation to use it. Fortunately, under the law, there is one circumstance in which you MUST talk to someone, and that is if you are subpoenaed to a court of law. "You've been served". This happens in high level court cases. Unless you've been served papers requiring you to appear in a court of law, you don't have to talk to anyone, ever. So, don't talk to them.
2. Change your Voicemail
They will want to leave their toxic threats and intimidation on your voiemail if you dont' answer, but they are bound by privacy laws so can't disclose your debts to anyone. So, say your voice mail is general. "This is the general, non-confidential voice mailbox or John Smith, this mailbox is private and may be checked by a family member or co-worker in my absence. No personal information please. Thanks!" This will limit their voicemails to something discreet like "This ABC company alling about an important business matter. Please return my call ASAP." If your voicemail says it is secure, you give them permsission record terrible, soul disturbing lies and threats.
3. Ignore them
Don't answer numbers you don't know, if they leave a voicemail and its a collection agency, add them to your phone book and assign a silent ring tone. If they can only leave general voicemails asking for return calls, they give up in less than a month. It's not a great month, but it's better than having your sol vomited on and declaring bankruptcy to stop their calls.
4. Change your number. They can't call you if they dont have your number, and privacy laws make it very hard for them to find it. They usually give up.
Section Two: Be pro-active.
1. Answer the call, ask them to identify themselves. As them for your the account details they are calling about. Have them identify their name and mailing address suitable for recieving registered mail (which all corporations must legal have and disclose). When that is all done, say "I have already spoken to Rogers/CIBC/Bell/Goodlife about this account. I do not owe this money and have no intention of paying it. I will be sending you a registered letter to that affect. Do not call again"
2. Mail them a registered letter, keep a copy for yourself. Include your full name, the account number, and address it to the collection agency. Say in the letter: Attention ABC Collections: You are hereby notified I do not owe this money and have no intention of paying it. Do not call again or attempt to contact me again." They are not allowed to harass you, and will not contact you again. You must actually mail the letter, or they will call you again to harass you because you didn't do what you said. You must mail it by registered mail in order to prove that you sent it, they will lie and say they never received anything if you cannot prove you sent it.
3. DO NOT
Admit the debt under any circumstance. This will give them permission to follow up with you on payment terms. They still can;t make you pay, but will call you. DO NOT ever send money. There is a statute of limitations that says after two years of non-payment they can't even choose to sue you, which they wont do anyway, but after two years it's impossible. If you do pay $1, you reset that two year countdown to day one again. DO NOT allow them to talk to you. After you have informed them on the phone of your position, hang up. They are advanced manipulators, don't give them the chance to harass and lie to you. They will win you over if you give them the chance, so don't! They won't call back.
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