I wanted to share some thoughts regarding collections demand letter assignments and get some feedback from others who have experience with this type of work. These assignments typically involve delivering a collections demand directly to an individual, their proxy, or leaving it at their property (e.g., taped to the door or in a drop box). Some companies may also request that you take photos of the property related to the collections and upload them to their portal.
While I understand that business is tight and that we all need to take assignments whenever possible, I’ve personally decided not to take on collections demands or process serving. These assignments often involve delivering negative news, and it’s not uncommon for recipients to react with hostility or aggression. Given the risks involved, I prefer to be more selective in the work I accept.
For those who do take on this type of work, how do you approach it? Any precautions or best practices you follow to stay safe? I’d appreciate hearing your experiences.
I know it’s a luxury to be selective about assignments, but please be extra careful if you decide to take these on. Wishing you all continued success and safety in your work!
@calibernotaries Thank You for highlighting this type of Service.
This is a service normally provided via a Sheriff’s Office or an Office of Process Servers.
As such, it’s not a service that I felt safe providing for clients. Thus, I’ve never provided this type of service.
Those who have direct experience in law enforcement/carrying a weapon, etc. would be appropriately prepared for safely managing these types of services.
Thanks for that tidbit of information to bring me back to reality… I had been thinking about taking on a few field inspections jobs that sounded like more PI/pre-repossession work to keep busy and add some additional sources of income but this right here is my very concern. While I am licensed to carry and intended to do so with jobs like this, I just do not feel like its worth putting myself in such potential position. Not that any amount of money may be worth the risk but from the offers I saw, $15-$40 is definitely off the table.
I’ve done at most 10 of these and, besides the gun one, 2 pre-gun others made me very uncomfortable in one way or another. With the gun one, I finally woke up and realized God had already told me 3 times that this was not a good idea and I’d better stop this nonsense.
I have direct experience as a deputy and even in those situations we had dispatch and other deputies on duty knowing where I was going. Also, 2 deputies were dispatched to calls like that just because they can quickly turn left. I couldn’t imagine doing those now as a civilian with or without law enforcement back up. Thank you for your input. I’m glad I trusted my gut. Stay safe everyone!
A special Thank You to each Notary who responded to this inquiry. I, too, am feeling a bit uncomfortable with this type of work since it is an unannounced visit. While I have an active CCW, I don’t usually carry my weapon and have avoided going into neighborhoods I am unfamiliar with to close loans let along to deliver default/demand letters. This assignment is for a region of Bucks County PA that is familiar to me.
Thanks for that tidbit of information to bring me back to reality… I had been thinking about taking on a few field inspections jobs that sounded like more PI/pre-repossession work to keep busy and add some additional sources of income but this right here is my very concern. While I am licensed to carry and intended to do so with jobs like this, I just do not feel like its worth putting myself in such potential position. Not that any amount of money may be worth the risk but from the offers I saw, $15-$40 is definitely off the table.