A first date with debt collection

I first came across the momentous word ‘debt collection‘ on March 18^thof 2019. Not through a letter, or – as another ‘serious’ word would suggest – a reminder, but through a vacancy! The collection agencyTCM Belgiumwas looking for a student to support the tasks of the credit controllers during the summer months. This exceptional offer immediately aroused my interest, and after forwarding my CV, an introduction by telephone and a thorough job interview, I could actually start.

But what does a job as a credit controller imply? What does a collection agency actually do? And what role does the debt collection sector play in our society? After a few months between the ‘harsh’ credit controllers, I think I’ve acquired a basis of knowledge to answer these questions.

The cliché versus reality

Whether they’re numb creatures, I hear you thinking? No, on the contrary! Credit controllers need to be in touch with their feelings and those of creditors and debtors, in order to guide a file flawlessly through the minefield of human behaviour, on the way to anamicable solution. It is the task of the credit controller to use his or her expertise to safeguard a respectful relationship between creditor and debtor. Creditors call on the services ofTCM, among other things, in order not to damage the relationship with their customers. Thecredit controllermanages files, monitors payments and guides creditors through theamicableandjudicial collection process. He or she must have a feel for languages, be patient and work accurately. The concrete objective is to identify the cause of the non-payment and to remedy it. Each case therefore requires a specific approach, with a clear overview of the current situation. The work offers a lot of variation, both in terms of contact and matter, but also in terms of output. Some days the credit controller does nothing but write and reply to e-mails, and other times the contact is mainly by telephone. You could compare the job with a crossing between adetectiveand asocial worker, topped off with a bit of sprinkles from an economist. Contrary to what most people believe, their work is certainly not about harassing and extorting people, but about offering a helping hand (a bit of the last amicable straw).  

No evildoers but mediators

As a student, I was allowed to work mainly in school files over the past few months. I was blown away by the number of people withoverdue school invoices. The cliché link between debt and the homeless or underprivileged was often far-fetched, the cause of non-payment was more due to an error in addresses, forgetfulness, or miscommunication. I have learned that debt and all that goes with it is still a very sensitive issue in our society. Just as no one likes to put out the bins, no one likes to be confronted withoutstanding invoices, let alone that they are happy to pay them. But just as it is useful to actually take out the bins, the (payment) of debts is a crucial part of society. Thedebt collection sectordoes not play the role of the culprit, but that of a helping hand and mediator in the search for a correct follow-up and solution. Author: Pieter Poppelsdorf

A first date with debt collection

I first came across the momentous word ‘debt collection‘ on March 18^thof 2019. Not through a letter, or – as another ‘serious’ word would suggest – a reminder, but through a vacancy! The collection agencyTCM Belgiumwas looking for a student to support the tasks of the credit controllers during the summer months. This exceptional offer immediately aroused my interest, and after forwarding my CV, an introduction by telephone and a thorough job interview, I could actually start.

But what does a job as a credit controller imply? What does a collection agency actually do? And what role does the debt collection sector play in our society? After a few months between the ‘harsh’ credit controllers, I think I’ve acquired a basis of knowledge to answer these questions.

The cliché versus reality

Whether they’re numb creatures, I hear you thinking? No, on the contrary! Credit controllers need to be in touch with their feelings and those of creditors and debtors, in order to guide a file flawlessly through the minefield of human behaviour, on the way to anamicable solution. It is the task of the credit controller to use his or her expertise to safeguard a respectful relationship between creditor and debtor. Creditors call on the services ofTCM, among other things, in order not to damage the relationship with their customers. Thecredit controllermanages files, monitors payments and guides creditors through theamicableandjudicial collection process. He or she must have a feel for languages, be patient and work accurately. The concrete objective is to identify the cause of the non-payment and to remedy it. Each case therefore requires a specific approach, with a clear overview of the current situation. The work offers a lot of variation, both in terms of contact and matter, but also in terms of output. Some days the credit controller does nothing but write and reply to e-mails, and other times the contact is mainly by telephone. You could compare the job with a crossing between adetectiveand asocial worker, topped off with a bit of sprinkles from an economist. Contrary to what most people believe, their work is certainly not about harassing and extorting people, but about offering a helping hand (a bit of the last amicable straw).

No evildoers but mediators

As a student, I was allowed to work mainly in school files over the past few months. I was blown away by the number of people withoverdue school invoices. The cliché link between debt and the homeless or underprivileged was often far-fetched, the cause of non-payment was more due to an error in addresses, forgetfulness, or miscommunication. I have learned that debt and all that goes with it is still a very sensitive issue in our society. Just as no one likes to put out the bins, no one likes to be confronted withoutstanding invoices, let alone that they are happy to pay them. But just as it is useful to actually take out the bins, the (payment) of debts is a crucial part of society. Thedebt collection sectordoes not play the role of the culprit, but that of a helping hand and mediator in the search for a correct follow-up and solution.   Author: Pieter Poppelsdorf