Navigating Collection Agency Content in the World of Social Media Influencers

The prevalence of collection agency content on social media is undeniable, but not all that glitters is gold. Online information can be misleading, stemming from a lack of expertise, hidden agendas, or a partial truth. Seeking the services of a Sonoma County collection agency can prove to be extremely beneficial. With a deeper understanding of collection agency operations, I often find concerns in the narratives circulating on social media. Addressing misconceptions and misinformation about collection agencies isn’t a one-size-fits-all task, but I aim to guide listeners and viewers by suggesting key questions to ask when consuming content from social media influencers on this topic.

What is the motivation for the video?

At times, videos about debt collections may end with a plug for a debt consolidation company, credit repair company, or a local attorney. If the person creating the video is endorsing or trying to grow a business, there may be certain motives in play that may not be immediately apparent during the introduction of the video. For instance, if the person creating the video is endorsing a business, you might wonder, “What is the business model for this company and how do they keep the lights on?” If the revenue of the business is based solely or primarily on payments from people with accounts in collections, this may raise some concerns. In other words, the major concern would be how the company is able to turn a profit on people who may already be late on a number of their bills. Answering this question may prove to be one of the most important discoveries a person can locate when consuming social media content. At the very least, it may bring some context that would have otherwise gone unnoticed.

Why do collection videos often seem one-sided?

Collection agencies often do not engage in social media debates because videos about debt collections are generally created to side with consumers over creditors. For example, if your creditor is a dentist with nine patients, many videos on social media concerning collections in this realm will be targeted at the patients rather than the creditor. Although the video may reach all ten people, in this example, the consumers outnumber the creditor nine to one. In this situation, if the dentist spent years going to school to earn their credentials and pay for their education, and then someone creates a video with the underlying premise – here is how you can get out of paying for goods and services provided by the dentist – the real question I would have is: “Is that ethical?” Is it ethical to try and find loopholes out of paying for genuine goods or services, and would you want this practice utilized on you if you were to open a business? Collection agencies do not gain any advantage by wading into these waters online, and so often the morality of avoiding a bill in the first place isn’t brought into question. This ties in nicely with the next point.

Why do many of these videos utilize sweeping generalizations?

If you search for “Collection Agencies” on YouTube shorts, Instagram reels, or TikTok, you will likely come across a video that starts with the phrase, “This is why you should never pay collection agencies!” People may assume that this is the takeaway from the video. However, the video will then delve into how a collection agency bought the debt. It is important to note that not all collection agencies are debt buyers. Some may say that agencies will not be able to provide supporting documentation from creditors. But what if they do? It is common for these videos to target low-quality agencies that operate on volume and corner cutting. Starting the video off with a sweeping generalization like “This is why you should never pay…” may actually hurt the viewer if they don’t watch the full video or key into the fact that the first overgeneralization is later watered-down or modified as the video progresses. It operates more as a hook to grab the viewer’s attention rather than a truth to live by. In today’s current climate, many people just read the headline, and that is what they remember.

Lastly…

It may be difficult for someone with no industry knowledge to understand all the nuances and complexities comprising the debt collection world. Often these topics quickly necessitate a well-balanced knowledge of laws and regulations, and this isn’t something most every day Americans are delving into in their spare time. Most people are not reading Assembly Bills in their spare time or learning about the FDCPA and Regulation F. This is why reaching out to collection agencies to ask key logic-based questions when delving into social media characterizations of collections agencies or accounts receivable management is so important. When approaching new or unfamiliar topics, it is important to uncover bias, ask questions, and discover multiple viewpoints before coming to any conclusions.

At Tavelli Co., we focus on providing insightful feedback and clear communication. This ensures you have the essential data for making informed decisions and enhancing future processes. Contact us at (707) 509-5565 and let Tavelli Co., Inc.’s debt collection specialists assist in steering your business towards success.

Tavelli Co., Inc. has over 40 years of unparalleled experience in the debt collection and receivables management industry. Our mission is to achieve the right balance between getting clients paid and being empathetic to debtor circumstances, through implementing innovative practices, hiring experienced people, and improving business decisions through analytics. We provide peace of mind to all involved by collecting money with no complaints. Tavelli Co., Inc. takes the time to carefully listen to your customers and share their feedback with you through meaningful data and transparent communication, so you have access to the information you need to make quality decisions and improve your processes in the future. Contact us today and let the debt collection experts at Tavelli Co., Inc. help you set your business up for success.

IMPORTANT: Information provided by Tavelli Co., Inc., any employees of Tavelli Co., Inc., or its subsidiaries is not intended as legal advice and may not be used as legal advice. It is not intended to be a full and exhaustive explanation of the law in any area, nor should it be used to replace the advice of your own legal counsel.