Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Debt Collector
What debt collectors actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a debt collector?
Review the call queue. From there, the day usually includes contact past-due customers, explain balances, and arrange payment plans. Full time, including some evenings and Saturdays when people are home.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a debt collector working full time.
- Review the call queue.
- Make outbound calls.
- Set up a payment plan.
- Process a payment.
- Return voicemails.
- Send dispute letters.
- Update notes.
Where debt collectors work
Collectors work in call centers and offices, and many work remotely.
Hours and schedule
Full time, including some evenings and Saturdays when people are home.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Contact past-due customers
- Explain balances
- Arrange payment plans
- Process payments
- Update account records
- Follow collection laws
- Locate customers
Tools you’ll use every day
- Collection software
- Dialer systems
- Payment portals
- Skip tracing databases
- CRM
- Headsets
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- No degree needed
- Commission potential
- Remote options
- Clear metrics
What’s hard
- Declining employment
- Hostile calls
- Strict legal rules
- High stress
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I stay calm when people are upset
- I’m persistent
- I like negotiating
- I can follow strict rules
- I want commission potential
- I don’t need a degree
Not sure? Take the free Debt Collector fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Follow FDCPA and Reg F
- Protect customer data
- Never threaten or harass
- Take breaks after hard calls