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You have to be extremely professional and careful when dealing with a debt collector. If you need certain tips as to how you can deal with your debt collector take a look below:

* Know your rights: A debt collector must follow the norms of the Fair Debt Collection Practice. Many states may have their own state laws on debt collection. You may check them out from the Federal Trade Commission if you want. If you are aware of your rights as a debtor, the debt collector cannot get away with anything. They know they can’t take you for a ride.

* Carefully choose your priorities: Maybe you have an unpaid credit card bill, but you may put that on hold for sometime. Do what is your priority first.

* Estimate how much you can afford: Don’t settle for anything that you cannot afford. Also avoid post dated checks for payments to creditors and also avoid automated payments from your bank accounts.

* Provide controlled information: You don’t need to give them the story of your life. Do not offer them information about where you work and the bank you use for your savings. Just stick to the facts that they need. Keep your cool no matter what the collector may tell you. This way you can strike a better deal than you will do by losing your temper.

* Taping the call: Find out if your state allows you to tape the conversation that you have with your collector. Approximately 35 states allow this. In other states, you may just need the permission of the other party.

* Documentation: Keep everything that you have in writing inside a file. Collection letters, notes of collection calls, name of collection agency, what the caller said, everything goes in to a file. Make notes and put them in file for future references. If you have noted down a conversation between you and the collector make sure there is a voice file too i.e. a record of the conversation.

* Payment agreement must be in writing: When you agree to make a payment, get the agreement in writing. It should not be a word-of-mouth settlement. Get your debt settlement in writing so that you have proof in case you need it in the future. Send a letter to the creditor through certified mail and ask for a return receipt.

* Negotiate at the right time: Your debt collector may push you in to paying immediately. But don’t rush in to anything. Don’t pay them unless you have a payment agreement in writing. The best time to negotiate would be at the end of the month. Collectors have a target each month on which their commission is based. You may find yourself a good deal if you negotiate at the end of the month.