Telephone calls, no answer... what IS up with that?

All right, so a lot of us are having some financial hurdles to face, and we're all doing the best we can with a situation that is difficult for the best of us. And I present to you, why do companies such as Capital One, Wachovia, HFC Beneficial, and Out Of Area (whoever that might be), not answer when you pick up the telephone? Or, even better, you've just spoken to someone at that company and they call the same day you've made whatever arrangements you've made with XYZ representative:

And they say, "These calls will persist until your account is up to date."

And you respond, "That’s cool, I understand, we have been unemployed since XYZ, and we do not get unemployment, so we can only pay this amount $0.00."

And they say, "That’s not enough, you must pay $0.00, give me your routing number and account number and we'll do a check by phone."

And you say, "I am sorry, I am unable to do that at this time. I have X amount of opportunities that I am following up on, and I hope to have employment soon. But until I do, I can only pay your company $5.00 this month."

And they say, "We must take a check by phone today or this will affect your credit rating and you will be unable to open any other credit cards, buy real estate, or purchase a new car."

Now, they've not taken into account that the person they are speaking with is so far in the financial hole that a bad credit rating is the least of their concerns. The person they are speaking with pays $1200 in child support a month, $1650 a month in mortgage payments, $800 in car payments, approximately $400 in utilities... not to mention the $30,000 in medical bills they're in the hole for because their insurance didn't cover a surgery on their leg a year and a half ago. Credit rating? What credit rating? This person is worried they'll no longer have a vehicle to find employment with. Forget the credit rating!

And the conversation continues, and because this is the seventh month of brow beating, exhaustive research, prayer, church help with electric bills, gas gift cards from everyone, food gift cards, and finally food stamps kick in and AllKids takes affect... the pressure is immense. So the explanation, since it has been given so often, is actually quite draining, is left to:

"I'm sorry I cannot do more at this time. I really wish that I could. Is your company hiring? (Usually followed by the customer service rep laughing through the word no) I will pay you more as soon as I have more. I promise you, I will. I know my promise really means nothing because you don't know me, but that is the best I can do."

And a check by phone is asked for once more. And the consumer, the one who was a different person six... eight... ten months ago quietly hangs up the phone. Because nothing is going to come of this, it is a demented merry-go-round that neither party will be able to end, until that routing number and account number is shared. And it's tempting to share it, is it not? Because what are they going to get? Nothing. Because the amount they're demanding is nonexistent in this person's account.

And the cycle continues...