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Down, But Not Out # 32: To the Grave and Beyond – Debt Collection & the Deceased

On October 18, 2011

The only sure thing in life, we are told, is death and taxes. That could be restated more accurately as death, taxes and the bill collector. Few people are aware of the problems facing the funeral industry (and other creditors) when it comes to collecting on the deceased and/or their estate. A NYTimes article, “You’re Dead? That Won’t Stop the Debt Collector,” identified this form of debt as being the “new frontier” in debt collection and more lucrative than even collecting on the living.

Does this require a special touch? Approach? Is it even legal? After all, some of those who pay a dead relative’s debts are unaware that they have no legal obligation to do that. Obviously, a Funeral Home would want to keep a good image in their community, but what about credit card lenders or debt buyers? Do debt collectors in that industry follow the Golden Rule, or the Rule of Gold?

Steven Godzisz is founder and CEO of CCR Collections. In his 20 years at the helm, Godzisz grew CCR from a start-up to a leading international firm which reigns as the largest third-party collection operation in North America with an exclusive focus on Funeral Services.
CCR is a member of good standing of ACA International, a world-wide industry association of credit and collection professionals. The company is also an endorsed service supplier for the National Funeral Directors Association and The International Order of Golden Rule.

Website: http://www.ccrcollections.com – Email: ccrinc@ccrcollections.com

LinkedIn: http://ca.linkedin.com/in/stevengodzisz