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Fwiw, if you get a call from a debt collector and would prefer not to speak to them, tell them the call will be recorded and ask for their permission. It’s been some time since I’ve had this happen but I’ve been 6 for 6 on them not giving permission and the conversation ending. (Yes, even after I consented to them recording the call)

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Yep, been a long time, but as I recall they usually start by saying "this call may be recorded".

Back when I was young and poor in in debt collector land, choosing to interpret that statement as permission to record and responding "that's great, I'll record it as well" always ended the conversation.

When Capital One locked my card four times in a row in three days, left me stranded while traveling (partially my fault for not having a backup), and then didn't answer their customer support line for 12+ hours, and then lied about all of it to me, I tried to record my calls with them. I've never heard someone get so freaked out and cagey on a phone call in my life, and of course they hung up. Utterly despicable, I'm glad I'm in a place now where I don't have to even disclose.

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