The American Repossessor

The men and women that work as repossession agents, skip tracers etc – you could be putting yourself in danger each time you go out to do you job. Most of the people you are looking for or trying to locate will probably not be happy about being found, and many repossession agents and other staff have been attacked by irate debtors.

It’s all about your field training and your investigation techniques, but your safety should be the number one priority. You should consider the following safety tips to avoid getting injured at the hands of another.

Repossession work can be a very dangerous job when you are out looking for cars and other property.

So be prepared -  PLAN!

Know the area (Territory):

Be familiar with the area, including the neighborhood,  and businesses in the area  and the people around you. It is always a good idea to leave yourself an out or get away from a situation that could get out of control – that  means knowing the area that you are working in and any roads or alleys.  Always have your cell phone on and  handy in case something happens that threatens your safety.

Don’t be too good to ask for help.

A lot of people in this line of work assume that they have to be tough, but in reality, anyone could be a potential target of violence.  If you feel threaten, or harassed or even assaulted while working, call the police for assistance.  Note if any of this happens to you and the smoke clears take the time to write down everything that happened just in case you need it for future reference. Excellent report writing will help you if there are any charges against you. That is why know what is around you such as cameras on business, witness etc.

Make it simple:

We have a job to do and whether the people like it or not, we have to do what we are told. Don’t get into conversations about the person’s circumstances as doing this establishes a personal connection. Keep it professional by doing your job.

Weapons:

In this industry we don’t have to carry a gun, knife or a tazer to feel safe, as it is just another tool that can be taken away and used on you. You should always be able to defend yourself.  In most States you can only use enough force to contain the situation.  Check your State laws, in your area, on this matter.

At the first sign of confrontation, you should simply, walk away – as there is always another day to get that vehicle!  In this instance, your legs should be your ‘weapon’.

Buddy System:

Most repossession agents work on their own, because it saves time, money and other valuable resources. A buddy can save you time in a situation that gets out of control.  You will be more formidable if you have someone else to back you up on the street and within the job.

Personal Information:

If you are calling debtors, on the telephone to collect information regarding the repossession of  a car for someone who has defaulted, do not give out personal information. If the person asks for your name,  give only your first name, but don’t give your last name or telephone number.  If you can find them, they can probably find you.

Communication:
Effective communication is all about conveying your messages to other people clearly and unambiguously.  It is  also about receiving information that others are sending to you, with as little distortion as possible.
Doing this involves effort from both the sender of the message and the receiver. It is  a process that can be fraught with error, with messages muddled by the sender, or misinterpreted by the recipient. When this is not detected, it can cause tremendous confusion, wasted effort and missed opportunity.
In fact, communication is only successful when both the sender and the receiver understand the same information as a result of the communication.
By successfully getting your message across, you convey your thoughts and ideas effectively. When not successful, the thoughts and ideas that you actually send do not necessarily reflect what you think, causing a communications breakdown and creating roadblocks that stand in the way of your goals – both personally and professionally.