With the global financial crunch getting worse by the day, countless people are finding themselves unable to pay off their debts. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act was recently modified to allow debt collectors to start using digital communication methods such as text messaging and email as well as social media platforms to get in touch with people that they are trying to collect payments from. It turns out that this has led to an increase in debt collection scams.
With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that this could have an adverse effect on email marketing. Receiving emails from debt collectors might make consumers less likely to open an email because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up resulting in them being chased by debt collectors in the future. The Idaho Department of Finance also recently said that scammers are using this change to increase their attacks since unwary consumers often send payments without first making sure that the communication is legitimate.
Many of these emails were found to have malware in them, which would make customers even less willing to interact with the emails. In spite of the fact that this is the case, customers can still protect themselves by never clicking on any links that they receive via email. These links are not necessarily malicious all the time, but there is a good chance that they might be with all things having been considered and taken into account.
Consumers should also start asking for debt validation documents, especially if they don’t remember accruing the debt. Many are criticizing this change because of its potential to open up a veritable Pandora’s Box. Malicious actors would be very eager to send debt collection emails since they have a high chance of getting opened by victims, so if this change does not get repealed consumers will have to put much more effort into protecting themselves. Marketing agencies will also have their work cut out for them in getting emails opened.
Read next: This New Report Reveals How Economic and Political Uncertainty Is On the Rise
With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that this could have an adverse effect on email marketing. Receiving emails from debt collectors might make consumers less likely to open an email because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up resulting in them being chased by debt collectors in the future. The Idaho Department of Finance also recently said that scammers are using this change to increase their attacks since unwary consumers often send payments without first making sure that the communication is legitimate.
Many of these emails were found to have malware in them, which would make customers even less willing to interact with the emails. In spite of the fact that this is the case, customers can still protect themselves by never clicking on any links that they receive via email. These links are not necessarily malicious all the time, but there is a good chance that they might be with all things having been considered and taken into account.
Consumers should also start asking for debt validation documents, especially if they don’t remember accruing the debt. Many are criticizing this change because of its potential to open up a veritable Pandora’s Box. Malicious actors would be very eager to send debt collection emails since they have a high chance of getting opened by victims, so if this change does not get repealed consumers will have to put much more effort into protecting themselves. Marketing agencies will also have their work cut out for them in getting emails opened.
Read next: This New Report Reveals How Economic and Political Uncertainty Is On the Rise
