Many financial institutions rely on collection agencies to obtain payment if an account is in default over a period of time. If you find yourself in a difficult financial situation and can’t make your monthly payments in full, collection agencies, much like the original creditors can accept alternative payment plans.
According to the Association of Collection Agents’ Code of Ethics, a collection agent cannot lie, deceive or harass you.
Creditors have a limited period of time to collect debt. If a debt has remained unpaid over that period of time, the debt “prescribes”, meaning that even if the creditor take legal action to try and collect the debt, the debtor may argue that it has prescribed. Collection periods vary depending on which country the debt was contracted, and what type of debt it is (civil, fiscal, etc). Some debt cannot be collected regardless of how old they are, like taxes for example.
Many institutions turn their open debt to collection agencies, so they can be in charge of the recovery proceedings.
If you are unable to settle your debt, you should contact the lending institution that awarded you the credit, and try to reach an agreement to liquidate it.
If your file has been turned over to a collection agency, understand that there is an agreement between Condusef and the Association of Collection Professionals and Judicial Services AC, regulating associates’ ethics.
According to the Association of Collection Professionals and Judicial Services AC, associates are responsible for:

• Providing efficient and reliable professional service.
• Identify themselves properly.
• Refrain from soliciting minors and elders.
• Debtor must be treated with respect, without use of obscene language.
• The purpose of all communication is to negotiate, not threaten.
• Be considerate, respectful and discreet when dealing with debtor, according to each debtor’s circumstances.
• Contacting debtor between 6:00am and 11:00pm.
• Never sending mail indicating on the envelope that the correspondence refers to collection.
• Not making debtor’s financial situation public.
• Not misleading debtor into thinking that failing to settle a debt is crime subject to imprisonment, nor using false documentation to prove judicial citation.

 
Should a Collection Agency sustain any of the above mentioned activities, you should contact Condusef or Association of Collection Professionals and Judicial Services so they conduct an investigation.
Contact:
Association of Collection Professionals and Judicial Services
Web: http://www.apcob.com.mx
E-mail: informes@apcob.com.mx
Phone: (55) 74-7299